Students from InFocus College have recently benefited from Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Try a Train campaign – an initiative aimed at helping people with disabilities feel more confident when using the railway network safely and independently.

During the event, students were guided by GWR’s dedicated Accessibility Team and had the opportunity to practice essential travel skills such as navigating the platform, understanding ticket barriers, and safely boarding and disembarking trains. The students were also accompanied by Rupee the dog, a volunteer accessibility ambassador who added an extra layer of comfort and support throughout the experience.

For some InFocus College students, this hands-on experience plays a vital role in developing the skills they need to travel independently in the future. The day provided a safe, informative, and enjoyable way for students to learn essential mobility skills while building their confidence in using public transport.

“Our students had a brilliant day learning vital travel skills, and we are so grateful to the GWR Accessibility Team for delivering such an interactive and rewarding experience,” said Alison Heath, Mobility Specialist at InFocus.

The Try a Train campaign is a free initiative offered by GWR that helps a variety of groups, including people with disabilities, SEN schools, job seekers, and older adults, to feel more confident using the railway. The campaign covers essential topics such as station safety, ticket purchasing, and navigating train services, all with the support of GWR’s experienced accessibility team and volunteers.