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Suffolk teenager feels confident after taking part in supported train journey scheme
Überblick
A 16-year-old boy from Suffolk named Michael has gained confidence and independence after participating in a "try a train" supported journey run by Suffolk County Council. The initiative aims to help post-16 students, particularly those with additional needs, transition to college by teaching them essential travel skills such as using tickets, timetables, and navigating public transport.
Wichtige Punkte
- Sixteen-year-old Michael completed his first-ever train journey during a supported session organised by Suffolk County Council for Felixstowe School pupils.
- The travel training scheme aims to help students transition to college, build independence, and reduce the council's £60m annual school transport bill.
- Travel trainer Sadie Reeve explained that the programme teaches students how to buy tickets, handle emergencies, and manage stranger danger.
- Since launching in 2015, the Suffolk scheme has provided travel training to 1,000 children.
- The local authority stated that participation is voluntary and based on individual assessments, denying that students are pressured into the course to cut council taxi funding.