A group of young people from Chippenham and across Wiltshire enjoyed an unforgettable seaside adventure after boarding the train to Weston-super-Mare, many for the very first time.
The trip, organised by community rail partnership TransWilts in collaboration with Great Western Railway (GWR) and Barnardo’s Wiltshire Short Breaks, gave 10 children aged 7–13 the chance to experience rail travel, explore somewhere new, and spend a day of fun and freedom at the beach.
For several of the children, travelling by train was a completely new experience. Before setting off, they joined an interactive safety session where they learned how to travel confidently and responsibly by rail. Then came the highlight: stepping onto the train together, watching the world go by from the carriage windows, and arriving at the coast ready for a day of sandcastles, games, and laughter led by a Barnardo’s play leader.
“It felt really exciting to go on the train,” said one child. “I’d never been on one before.” Another added: “The best bit was being on the beach with my friends.”
Sophie Martin, Community Partnership Manager at TransWilts, explained, “Giving children these kinds of experiences is about much more than just a day out. It’s about confidence, independence, and showing them that the railway is for everyone. For many of these young people, this was their first step into rail travel – and hopefully the first of many more adventures.”
Barnardo’s Wiltshire Short Breaks, which supports children with additional needs, said the day was especially valuable in helping young people gain independence and enjoy being with friends outside of their family setting.
Liz James, Barnardo’s Dorset and Wiltshire locality Children’s Services Manager, said,
“Some of the children would have found a trip like this too difficult without support, but with TransWilts there to guide them, they felt safe and able to enjoy themselves. Taking the train together helped build their confidence, and spending the day at the seaside gave them memories they’ll treasure.”
The day showed just how big an impact simple experiences like train travel and a visit to the beach can have, giving young people new skills, fresh confidence, and – most importantly – a whole lot of fun.
For more information on TransWilts, visit www.transwilts.org
