Purbeck Community Rail Partnership recently hosted a Try the Train event with our partners South Western Railway involving people with learning and physical disabilities. This was organised through the Volunteer Centre for Dorset and involved Muntsy’s Community Based Learning and Activity Centre in Portland. The trip departed from Weymouth and Dorchester South Stations to Wareham and involved about 20 members from both organisations.

This was hosted by the SWR community ambassadors’ scheme who hosted the event and were a credit to SWR with their knowledge, patience and information provision. They demonstrated health & safety while using the railway, how to use ticket vending machines, help points, train time information and assisted boarding points. Their community engagement skills generated many questions and interaction from members of the group. The group leaders enjoyed the day out at Wareham Quay and passed on their thanks and appreciation. This was all about gaining confidence and independence to travel by train and tackling social isolation and loneliness.