Coffee and chat events in partnership with Govia Thameslink Railway

Wednesday 9 October 12:00pm - Saturday 30 November 5:00pm
Various dates and times at Thameslink Railway Stations (across the South East, London and East of England)

Do you find the idea of travelling daunting as a blind or partially sighted (BPS) passenger? Do you want to build confidence to travel?

This October and November, Sight Loss Councils invite blind and partially sighted people to their ‘Coffee and Chat’ events with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) at stations across London, the South East and East of England. Join us to learn about accessible rail travel, support available and how you can access their transport network.

We are holding events in Luton, Stevenage, Eastbourne, Brighton, Blackfriars and Sutton stations. Book your place using the links below. Please add an additional place for any guide or companion you bring with you.

East Sussex Sight Loss Council

Brighton train station (morning or afternoon session)

About the events

These events form part of our exciting new project  to further improve the accessibility of six stations for BPS travellers through GTR’s ‘Your Station, Your Community’ grant programme. You will get the opportunity to:

  • learn what Sight Loss Councils are doing to make trains more accessible for BPS people
  • hear from Sight Loss Council volunteers sharing their experiences about train travel as blind and partially sighted passengers
  • meet the station manager and learn more about the support that is already available
  • feedback what makes you anxious about train travel and how your journeys could be improved
  • get to ask questions and receive advice from frequent travellers.

Mary Cox, South West London SLC member, disembarking a train with her guide dog, as a member of staff looks on.

Mary, South West London SLC volunteer, exiting a train with her Guide Dog

Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East England, said:

Headshoto f Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for Bedfordshire SLC. She is sitting outside, looking at he camera, smiling. She has long dark hair and is wearing a black top.“Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council are excited to invite you to their coffee and chat events as part of our ‘Your Station, Your Community’ project with Govia Thameslink Railway.

“Train travel is essential across the East of England. The accessibility of these services not only enables blind and partially sighted people go about their day-to-day lives locally, but also connects them to wider transport networks.

“We want to hear from you about your experiences and how this project can build your confidence in using the network.”

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England said:

Dave Smith“We want to break down barriers to train travel for blind and partially sighted people. Come along to our coffee and chat events in Eastbourne and Brighton, learn about the work that we and GOVIA Thameslink Railways are doing to help do this and give us your thoughts and feedback. “ 

Nicki Guy, Senior Engagement Manager for South England, added:

Headshot of Nicki Guy, Senior Engagement Manager for South England. She is standing in a hallway in front of prints on a wall, smiling at the camera.“We are really excited to work with London Blackfriars and Sutton station as part of the ‘Your Station, Your Community’ project. Accessible travel provides a lifeline to many blind and partially sighted people and is essential for our independence.

“We can’t wait to invite other BPS Londoners to our coffee and chat events. We really hope to remove some of the barriers that people with sight loss face, and your feedback will be instrumental to this.”

Photography and video

During registration, you will be asked to confirm you are happy to be included in any photographs, videos or images from the event. These will be used promotional purposes, raising the profile of our work and for sharing information and good practice. Please note, if you do not wish to be included, you may still feature in the background.

Join our mailing list

When you register, you will be asked whether you would like to join our mailing list.

By consenting to receive our emails you agree to your data being retained and used to send you information of interest to you. We will not sell or rent your information to third parties. We may share your information with third parties such as MailChimp or SurveyMonkey in order to send you communications or to canvass your opinion. You can opt out of these communications at any time by emailing info@sightlosscouncils.org.uk

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