A project to empower vulnerable individuals with opportunities to learn and thrive has received an £8,000 grant from Great Western Railway.
Lifeskills successfully applied for a grant from the train operator’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, which was launched in January to support local communities and address areas of social need.
As part of GWR’s National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting schools, colleges, councils, community and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.
Lifeskills is a dedicated safety education centre supporting vulnerable individuals across the West of England. Our purpose-built indoor village enables practitioner-led guided tours that help people develop the skills to be safe, active and independent in everyday situations.
With the funding received, we will continue delivering our learning disability programmes, which cost £35,000 annually to operate. These programmes provide tailored accessibility information and practical support, helping learners build confidence and independence when using rail travel.
The funding covers participant entry costs, removing financial barriers to access. This ensures inclusive participation, strengthen our partnership with GWR’s accessibility mentor, and enabled learners to safely explore new opportunities and engage more confidently with the wider world.
Partnership & Development Manager Sam Jury:
“We’re extremely grateful for this funding from Great Western Railway. It will help vulnerable people stay safer and travel more independently, while opening up new opportunities for them to explore, grow and feel confident in the wider world. It’s all about creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
“We’re also really excited to share Local Rail 200 activities. With such fantastic local railway heritage, we can’t wait to help shine a spotlight on the celebrations and inspire our visitors by showcasing the vital role our railways continue to play in our communities.”
The funding will enable us to build sustained relationships with learners, supporting repeat visits that progressively increase individual confidence and independence. This ongoing engagement will enable positive word of mouth to extend the reach of Lifeskills, increasing awareness of our services and enabling more vulnerable individuals to access the support they need.
GWR Senior Community Impact Manager Emma Morris said:
“The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in our communities in projects that really make a difference at a local level.”