Avanti West Coast supports campaign to help passengers spot vulnerable children on the railway

Avanti West Coast kicked off the Railway Children charity’s awareness campaign at Glasgow Central station this week highlighting young people at risk on railway over summer holidays with activities across UK rail network aim to protect children and raise public awareness

Avanti West Coast teamed up with the railway industry to support a nationwide campaign aimed at raising awareness of young people at risk on the rail network.  

This week, train operators across England, Scotland and Wales joining forces for an annual safeguarding campaign led by UK-based charity, Railway Children, with Avanti West Coast.

The event is designed to help passengers identify a vulnerable young person on the rail network and marks the third year the intercity operator has partnered with Railway Children to increase awareness of those at risk on the West Coast Main Line.

The activities – supported by train operators and British Transport Police (BTP) – include speaking with customers at stations and on trains, educating them on what to do if they spot an individual that may be in need of help.

Digital posters highlighting the signs of a vulnerable child will also be displayed on Avanti West Coast’s ticket machines and onboard its trains throughout the duration of the event.

This year’s campaign is the first time the activity has taken place over multiple days and involved nine train operators that serve England, Scotland, and Wales – helping to engage passengers across more of the UK.

Starting at Glasgow Central, Railway Children travelled across the UK hosting events at key transport hubs, including Crewe station which is managed by Avanti West Coast.

Railway Children’s work in the UK involves helping rail travellers better understand the key signs of a young person at risk and how to report their concerns.

Following early intervention and prevention work carried out by Railway Children’s Youth Practitioners at stations in the north west of England, data gathered by the charity over a year found over three quarters of young people (81%) felt an improvement in their wellbeing as well as in their safety (91%).

It also showed 91 percent of those who were supported by the Youth Practitioner outreach programme, which supports young people in the moment they need help most, felt they were ‘better equipped to deal with issues they may face going forward’*.

In Scotland, nearly three quarters of young people (73%) felt an improvement in their wellbeing as well as in their safety (70%).

Avanti West Coast’s latest partnership with Railway Children follows its award-winning campaign at Christmas, which centred around a five-minute short film titled ’Your Presence is Presents Enough’ to help passengers spot the signs of a runaway child.

Natalie Richbell-Beer, Safeguarding and Crime Manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with Railway Children once again for their Day of Action.

“The charity’s work is vital to keeping young people on our railways safe. Teaming up with the wider rail industry this year for a larger three-day event further supports the charity’s mission to continue raising awareness and reinforces how everyone has a role to play so we have the best chance of helping keep as many children as possible out of harm’s way.”

Suzi Lawrence, Head of Marketing and Communications at Railway Children, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our Day of Action campaign to three days this year, building on the success of our pilot events delivered in partnership with Avanti West Coast and the wider industry over the past two years.

“By bringing together professionals and partners from across the country, these Days of Action demonstrate the power of collaboration in safeguarding vulnerable individuals, as well as strengthening the protective network that exists across Britain’s railways.

“We’re looking forward to Avanti kicking off proceedings in Glasgow and are so grateful for the continued support and unwavering commitment colleagues show to protecting vulnerable young people across the rail network.”

Joyce Spiers, Safer Railway Scheme Lead at British Transport Police, said: “Railway Children’s Day of Action is a fantastic initiative that highlights the vital work Railway Children undertakes every day to identify, protect, and support young people across the network.

“Working alongside the charity for the past three years, Avanti West Coast has demonstrated a strong commitment to safeguarding through staff engagement, awareness-raising activities, and direct support of the campaign.

“This ongoing partnership continues to make a meaningful difference, helping ensure that vulnerable young people are recognised, supported, and given access to the help they need when it matters most.”