Transport for Wales Confidence to Travel Scheme
We would like to introduce you to our Confidence to Travel Initiative, which is funded by Welsh Government and aimed at people who face barriers to rail travel through either neurodiverse, mental illness, physical disabilities or people who maybe experience / care for people with anxiety, lack of confidence, loneliness, and social isolation. The intention is to work alongside people experiencing these issues enabling them to boost their confidence in using the rail network therefore improving their overall health and wellbeing.
The scheme usually entails an initial informal talk with the group to cover the categories listed below, followed by a trip on a train but can be adapted to suit the individual needs of organisations.
Understand the barriers people face with regards to train travel
Plan a journey, using the Travel APP/website, explore the Journey checker, booking a ticket etc
Explanations on various ways of purchasing tickets
Assisted travel scheme
Visit a train station
Undertake a purposeful train journey
We can arrange a familiarisation journey for up to 12 people at a time, which will be organised and accompanied in Cardiff and the valleys by myself, we also ask for a representative of the organisation to accompany us. We normally meet the group at a pre-agreed station then travel for up to an hour – for example from Caerphilly to Barry Island and the journey is complimentary. During the journey, participants will be shown around the station so that they can see facilities such as ticket vending machines, customer information screens, tap and go machines and where they exist, ticket offices and lifts. They will also have the opportunity to meet on-train, station staff and British Transport Police.
On arrival at the destination, we normally take participants for a drink/cake at a local café (paid for by TFW) and take time to answer any questions participants may have relating to the journey. For example, in Southeast Wales, we could visit Cardiff Bay, Penarth, Barry Island or anywhere of benefit to the group. The journeys are available Monday to Friday outside the peak times so after 0930 and completed before 1500. Our trains have two dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, and every train has either level boarding or an access ramp on board. Further information can be found here https://tfw.wales/info-for/passengers/accessible-travel/mobility-scooter
Please see the links to the video
Youtube ENG https://youtu.be/Ta0EVM0ulno
Youtube CYM https://youtu.be/8wm_5Xv9lIo