Pupils from Fairfield College in Dilton Marsh near Westbury have been the latest group to experience “Bingo on the Train”.
A dozen students took the train from Westbury to Swindon and back and spent part of the journey playing Bingo for small prizes. However there was a more important theme to the day. For most of those on board it was their first experience of train travel. The day out was planned to give them confidence in travelling independently. They had the chance to see what to expect at the station and on board in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Speaking afterwards, they were clearly enjoyed the day out.
Matthew “I like riding on the train fast. Stand behind the yellow line”.
Evie “I liked seeing all the different places. GWR staff are friendly”.
Fairfield is a specialist college for young people with additional needs and the day out helped fulfil their mission statement “To enable young people to live and work without barriers”. They hope to take other students on similar trips in the future.
Darren Barber, Employment Manager & Careers Lead at the college said afterwards: “This was such a fantastic experience and opportunity for Fairfield students. We felt like VIPs and received five star treatment from GWR and Trans Wilts staff from the start and throughout. Students now feel more confident getting around a train station, getting on and off the train safely and knowing what uniform GWR staff wear if they need to ask for help. The students loved taking part in train Bingo and all the refreshments provided”.
Although TransWilts organised the trip, it was made possible by GWR who provided travel tickets, food and light refreshments on board and Simon the bingo caller.