THE train operator covering Andover and Basingstoke has teamed up with Hampshire County Council to help those travelling with non-visible disabilities.

South Western Railway has joined with the county council to support ‘Travel with Confidence’, organised by Hampshire Community Rail Partnership (CRP).

The aim is to provide information and training on how to enjoy travelling by public transport for people who have non-visible disabilities such as autism, anxiety or phobias. This can make travelling by bus or train a difficult experience.

The first phase of the project, funded by the council's Adult Services, was completed by the CRP with the publication of a booklet of resources called Help is at Hand, after extensive consultation with local disability groups. The booklet is a resource which can be shared with groups and organisations supporting people with non-visible disabilities.

The project’s second phase is now underway, supported by South Western Railway. This sees Hampshire CRP and other groups working with Winchester Go LD to teach people with non-visible disabilities how to travel with confidence. They will also be helping learning disability groups with individual travel planning resources followed by visits to stations and rail journeys together.

SWR's community rail manager Paula Aldridge said: "SWR is always looking for ways to improve access to railway travel and so we were delighted to support Hampshire CRP’s project.

“We want all our customers to feel confident and comfortable on our services and we hope these resources and the work that Winchester Go LD are doing will make their future journeys on public transport easier.”

Winchester Go LD is also producing video resources which teach important skills such as boarding trains safely and how to seek help at stations.

South Western Railway has previously supported with a ‘try the train’ trip, where community ambassadors help reassure and educate those who have not travelled by train before, or those who have limited experience on the railway, to help them see that it can be an accessible mode of transport that everyone can feel comfortable using. This project also encourages greater independent travel in the longer term.