Avanti West Coast funding supports creative and inclusive rail projects across Lancashire
Community Rail Lancashire is delighted to announce the success of two Avanti West Coast–funded projects that will support more inclusive, confident and positive experiences of rail travel for people with additional needs across Lancashire, the Northwest and beyond!
Platform Portraits and Sensory Packs for Rail Passengers reflect a shared commitment to accessibility, creativity and community connection, and have been developed in direct response to feedback from SEND learners and passengers. As well as benefiting participants directly, they will help raise awareness of non-visible disabilities, encourage more inclusive practice and provide models that can be shared more widely across the rail network.
Platform Portraits: celebrating young voices through creativity
Bury College SEND students – photo © Katie Douglas
Platform Portraits is a creative project led by artist Gosha Gibek, working with pupils from Pear Tree School (SEND) in Kirkham & Wesham. Through artist-led workshops, pupils will explore memories, stories and aspirations connected to travel and the railway, using drawing, collage, paint and mixed media to create expressive portraits of one another.
The artworks will be digitally developed into a small collection of creative items such as postcards, sticker sheets, notebook covers and a mini printed zine, all featuring the pupils’ own designs. These will be printed locally and shared at a celebratory pop-up event for families and community partners. A small portrait display may also be installed at the school or local station as a legacy of the project – watch this space for updates as we go along.
Sensory packs to support accessible rail travel
Bury College SEND students test sensory bag contents – photo © Katie Douglas
Alongside this creative work, Community Rail Lancashire is partnering with Avanti West Coast’s accessibility team to develop and distribute sensory packs for passengers who may experience sensory overload while travelling on our rail network.
The idea for the sensory packs came directly from SEND young adults at Bury College, who highlighted the challenges of noise, crowds, bright lights and unpredictable environments when travelling by train. Each pack will include practical items such as ear plugs, a soft comfort toy, fidget tools, sunglasses and an activity sheet, all contained in a reusable canvas pouch.
Around 250 sensory packs will be distributed across Avanti West Coast stations and be available via their onboard teams. The packs aim to reduce anxiety, increase comfort and support more people to travel independently and confidently by rail.
Bury College SEND students with some of the sensory bag contents – photo © Katie Douglas
Community Rail Lancashire would like to thank Avanti West Coast, Pear Tree School, Bury College, and all partners involved for supporting these projects and helping to make rail travel more welcoming and accessible for everyone.