Spotlight on CFL ambassador: Northern Railway
Northern Rail have been Child Friendly Leeds ambassadors since January 2020, and make sure to actively play their part in making Leeds a child-friendly city. This year they got involved in many ways, including through Baby Week 2023…
Northern is committed to supporting families and children accesses our services across the city. We will work hand in hand with your new travel team across the district to ensure we play and active role in delivering the cities 12 wishes. We will especially focus on 3,4,5 and 6 through pivotal role we play in connecting communities and places, so all can access the rail network safely and with confidence when visiting the city.
I would like to thank you and the team for the positive feedback on what we are already doing with children and communities to improve rail safety and tackle the climate change emergency an open up opportunities for young people in Leeds.
Excited for the 12 months and how we can work with communities, families , children and CFL bring to bring people into Leeds via train and enjoy all it has to offer.
Richard Isaac – Regional Community and Sustainability Manager, Northern Railway
Find out more…
Case Study: Northern Railway getting involved with Baby Week 2023
Introduction:
The Baby Week initiative promotes the best start in life for children and the importance of the first 1001 days. Baby Week UK promotes the opportunities, services and support available for expectant and current parents and carers. This could be anything from finding a new parent group, going to the library, enjoying play, taking a trip on the train and sensory experiences, or accessing health and wellbeing support for parents, carers, and babies. The aim is link to as many accessible free activities and support services across the regions.
It’s also an opportunity for professionals and services across the private, public, and voluntary sectors to connect, listen to parents and carers, and enhance the way they work in maternity, health, public transport, and early years.
For the rail sector it is about making our services accessible for all and as an inclusive employer what can we do to make a difference in the North.
How did Northern Railway get involved?
A day of adventure with a trip to Liverpool for the Launch of baby week!
To kick off Baby Week, Northern Railway invited parents and children to take a train journey for free, to build their confidence travelling by train. Accompanied by volunteer support, 66 people and 23 children 12 prams and 2 double buggies set off on the journey on 13th November 2023. A similar size group also travelled from the Northwest via Northern and Mersey Rail services.
During a slight delay at Leeds Train Station, the fantastic officers from the British Transport Police to lend a helping hand. Three offices took the time to speak to our young volunteers about rail safety and the railway guardian App and giving hits and tips on keeping safe over the Christmas period. Also, the highlighting role we all must play in reporting incidents and how we can all be an active bystander for those who need assistance.
I must give a huge thank you to Michael Hopkins and the other officers who not only engaging with our young volunteers but also helping us across a very busy station and on to the train.
A fantastic day full of fun and laughter for women across the North but more importantly access to advice guidance and support from women’s support services across the North. Plus, a space for women and children to relax and interact which has been so desperately missed during the pandemic.
Northern Trains Ltd and our train partners are committed to supporting women and families access our services and station with confidence across the North. Also, to show our commitment as one of the largest public transport providers and a major employee in the North that we have inclusiveness at the heart of everything we do. Working in partnership across the public sector we are aware of the challenges and obstacles women and families face in the North. Not only as a rail operator but as an organisation with strong social conscience.
Making this better for women and children in the North makes this better for all our customers.
Northern Railway also participate in the Rail to Refuge scheme, which can be used by domestic abuse survivors who are fleeing.
They also take steps to be child-friendly in other ways:
Find out more about Travel to Refuge:
