If you're concerned about making a journey by train for the first time, taking part in a Try a Train Day event might build your confidence.
Try a Train Day events are run by train operators and usually involve being shown around a station and a train and even sometimes being taken on a journey so that you can familiarise yourself with the location of facilities. First Capital Connect and South West Trains are just some of the train operators who have already run these events.
You can find out about Try a Train Day events in your area by contacting your local train operator through National Rail enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or the National Rail website.
All aboard!
A group of nervous travellers went on a confidence building journey on a Try a Train day.
Travelling can be a big part of maintaining your independence, whether it's to visit friends and family, get to work or to doctors' appointments. But it's easy to lose your confidence in getting out and about, especially if you're living with sight loss. Sometimes, the best way to rebuild your confidence is to give it a go!
This is the philosophy behind a Try a Train day organised by RNIB and Action for Blind People with train company First Capital Connect (FCC). A group of disabled people took a guided tour of Kings Cross, one of the UK's busiest stations which is currently undergoing a major redevelopment, and took a journey on a train from London to Peterborough.
Participants in the Try a Train day commented that travelling independently more often, would make a big difference to their daily lives. Sylvie lives in Peterborough and is registered blind. She travels on her own occasionally but would like to increase this. Sylvie explained: "You can just do what you want to do and you've not got to rely on other people meeting you and taking you to the station. It just gives you more confidence."
This is echoed by another participant, Tim, who said: "I haven't used the trains for several years since losing my sight. It's lovely to come to days like this and get over fears of not knowing all the information you need."
A Government programme called Access For All has provided £378 million to FCC to improve access. This covers improvements like installing lifts, tactile paving so that you know where the edge of the platform is and accessible toilets.
So were the participants ready to jump on board? The consensus of opinion was that the day had helped to rebuild confidence to travel by train independently. Sylvie concluded: "I thought it was very good, very interesting. I found out a few things and the best bit was trying to eat a sandwich at 100 miles an hour with the window open!"
The above is taken from an original feature in Vision magazine, which is exclusively for RNIB Members. Find out more about Membership of RNIB.