School pupils join Thameslink and Morph to promote accessible travel and discover London's first step-free art trail

A Burgess Hill school and college for youngsters with special educational needs has joined forces with Thameslink to teach their students how to travel independently by rail.

It was also a great opportunity for the children to experience London’s first step-free art trail Morph's Epic Art Adventure that features more than 50 giant six-foot tall sculptures of lovable children’s TV character Morph and is raising money for children’s wheelchair charity Whizz Kidz.

Woodlands Meed School and College offers individualised care and learning for students aged between 2 and 19 years. A vital element is giving youngsters skills for life.

Last week, Thameslink managers took a party of 20 students aged 13 and 14 by train from Burgess Hill to London Bridge station. They showed them how to seek assistance, check train times, buy tickets and safely board the train.

In London they toured the station with Thameslink’s station manager before starting the art trail along the River Thames, all the way to London Blackfriars where Thameslink has a Morph sculpture of its own.

Teacher Jan James said: “This was a fabulous event. We really need the students to be thinking now towards their future independence. They need to be confident and happy with all forms of transport and trains are a great way to start on this because they are so accessible.

“On the railway, there is lots of help available if they need it. There are also really good signs in the trains now which is good for the students. Trains are a very safe and secure environment.

“The whole experience is absolutely seamless: even if you haven’t booked assistance, someone is there at the station to help you. It’s so fantastic and takes the stress out of the day.”

Jan’s own 16-year-old daughter uses a wheelchair. “We have been using the train more than ever. It’s so easy. We know we can get on at pretty much any station and go to whichever London terminus we want,” said Jan.

“It’s transport we know we can use that is step-free all the way and now there’s the Morph step-free art trail to visit as well.”

Student Ryan Horrod, 14, of Ferring has Muscular Dystrophy and uses a powered wheelchair. Jan said: “Ryan is a rail enthusiast and really keen to do things by himself. He’s always thinking of the future and he’s absolutely confident that he can use the train by himself. With the very friendly staff he knows he will always be able to access train travel.”

Govia Thameslink Railway Accessibility Lead Carl Martin said: “We want everyone to have the confidence to travel with us, no matter what their disability or need for assistance. That's why we run sessions like this, to show disabled youngsters they can travel by train with the help of all the assistance the railway has to offer.

“It's also why we've teamed up with the charity Whizz Kidz to promote London's first step-free art trail. Morph’s Epic Art Adventure is so easily accessible by rail – our Thameslink trains even have level boarding on the platforms in central London.

“Creating a more accessible and inclusive railway benefits everyone. We’re committed to working with everyone to further improve the assistance we provide.”

Partnerships Marketing Manager Jackie Bookal said: “There are lots of step-free attractions, including the SEA LIFE Centre, Shrek Adventures and St Paul’s Cathedral that have great 2-for-1 deals for anyone with a rail ticket. That coupled with our ‘Kids for £2’ ticket and Advance fares means a family could travel to London very cheaply.”

At the end of the trail, the Morphs will be auctioned off with the aim of raising £500,000 for Whizz Kidz to support young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences they need, and campaigning for a more inclusive society.

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Editor’s notes

A trail map and app navigates the public through London’s famous streets including the South Bank of the River Thames and the historic City of London, helping them discover each sculpture and unlock a series of rewards and fun facts whilst raising awareness of Whizz Kidz and the work the charity provides to help support young wheelchair users. Find out more at www.morphsadventurelondon.com

Whizz Kidz
As the UK's leading charity for young wheelchair users, we empower young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences they need, and campaigning for a more inclusive society. In 2021 Whizz Kidz provided wheelchairs and mobility equipment to 900 young people. Our vision is a society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.
About young wheelchair users in the UK:
• Around 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile. • Most young people aren't gettingg a wheelchair that fully meets their needs through local services.
• For a young person, having the wrong wheelchair can lead to dependence on others, social isolation, poor mental health, pain and injury.
• Without the ability to be independent young wheelchair users are restricted in their ability to socialise and participate in society.
For more information, visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk . Follow @WhizzKidz on Twitter and Facebook // @whizzkidzuk on Instagram // Whizz-Kidz on LinkedIn