Press release -
London Northwestern Railway: Learning disability charity adopts Northampton station
A new partnership between London Northwestern Railway (LNR) and learning disability charity Mencap will boost the community feel of a busy East Midlands train station.
Northampton station has been adopted by the charity through its ‘training academy’ programme, which delivers supported internships to people aged 16-24 with learning disabilities or autism.
Mencap – a charity that campaigns for the rights of the 1.5 million people across the UK with a learning disability- supports nine interns who will play a key role in maintaining the station and making it a more welcoming, friendly place for residents and railway users. The Mencap adopters plan to breathe new life into the station through planting and artwork.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at LNR, said: “We are really pleased that Mencap is adopting Northampton. As one of our busiest stations with nearly 2.9million passengers travelling through each year, this partnership offers Mencap a fantastic opportunity to engage with a wide range of people and showcase the work they do. We know Mencap’s interns will do a remarkable job of caring for the station, and we look forward to seeing their plans come to fruition.”
Jason Hardman, Head of Mencap Training Academy, said: “We know that currently, only 27% of the 1.5 million people with a learning disability across the UK are employed – despite 86% of people with a learning disability saying they want a paid job. This initiative is just one of the fantastic ways that our Supported Internships can help learners develop vital skills for their future career. Well done to the team – we look forward to seeing the station transform throughout the year!”
London Northwestern Railway and sister brand, West Midlands Railway (WMR), support station adopters across its rail network, with 67 stations adopted. On the WMR side of the network, Mencap is also adopting Selly Oak station in Birmingham.
To find out more about station adoption, visit Station Adoption | LNR | London Northwestern Railway.
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About London Northwestern & West Midlands Railways
For further information on this release, email press.office@wmtrains.co.uk
London Northwestern & West Midlands Railways operates both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services.
- London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.
- West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.
For more information on these services visit westmidlandsrailway.co.uk or londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk
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About Mencap:
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and campaign with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health, social care and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or dyslexia) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
- With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
