THE Assembly Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd has welcomed a new project which gives advice to people with special needs who travel by rail.

The Cambrian Railways Partnership launched their project at the Senedd in Cardiff this month, a film called ‘A Helping Hand’, produced by the partnership in conjunction with Arriva Trains Wales to give advice to those people who require some assistance when journeying by rail.

The partnership says the film has received a phenomenal response from special needs and vocational access student groups across mid Wales, including pupils at Coleg Ceredigion.

Rhydian Mason, rail development officer for the Cambrian Railways Partnership, said: “We made this film as we knew that there was no resource out there to explain and to show the types of rail assistance available to those that might need it. We also knew how effective a short information film could be from our experiences of making another award winning film – ‘First Class Safety’ some years ago.”

The film has for the first time brought all the information that might be required by those with learning difficulties and/or mobility issues together in one place. It uses real-life case studies and features students from two local colleges planning and making their journeys whilst making use of all the assistance available to them on the UK rail network.

Phil Caldwell, schools liaison officer for Arriva Trains Wales says that the new film is opening up opportunities and possibilities for hundreds of young people who would not normally have chosen to travel by rail.

He said: “Our purpose is to connect people and communities to what’s important to them, I see this film as helping us to achieve this.

“Not everybody finds it easy to get around – whether down to a mobility issue, or a confidence issue, and our film presents to those individuals lots of little ‘solutions’ to their concerns or worries.

“We highlight all the different types of help that’s available, and also draw attention to the Orange Wallet Scheme – a fantastically simple, low cost idea that helps break down barriers for those that find it awkward to get help.

“The film highlights the simplicity of the orange wallet and we’re hoping that we can play our part in promoting this Welsh Government backed scheme.”

Dafydd Elis-Thomas, who is the Assembly Member for Dwyfor and Meirionnydd, sponsored the event at the National Assembly for Wales.

He said: “This project is an excellent example of how innovative a community rail partnership can be. Working with Arriva Trains Wales, the Cambrian Railways Partnership has managed to produce a unique and worthwhile piece of work that will benefit passengers across the whole of the UK who feel that there are barriers to their own ability to travel by train.

“The Orange Wallet scheme, featured in the information film, is something which we should all support and promote, and I hope that the launch at the Senedd will assist the Welsh Government to further back the scheme so that we can make travelling by rail something which is accessible to all.”Margaret Neville, Vocational Access lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion added: “I am very proud of our students for piloting this Orange Wallet scheme and being involved in the making of the 'Independent Traveller' film. The Orange Wallet scheme will help all people who find it difficult to communicate develop their confidence and encourage them to travel independently.”

The film is available to watch on youtube by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= nt4KIY5Kx-s