Launched by South Western Railway (SWR) in partnership with leading charity UK Youth, Off the Track, Onto the Path to Success seeks to educate young people aged 11–25-years-old about railway safety and empower them to become leaders in their local communities
The two-night, three-day programme is available for free to young people who live within 20 miles of a South Western Railway (SWR) train station and will be delivered residentially at Avon Tyrrell, UK Youth’s leading outdoor learning venue in the beautiful location of The New Forest National Park.
Young people attending the course can expect to participate in practical outdoor sessions which include activities such as High ropes, Bushcraft, Night Navigation and Archery, along with a mix of indoor leadership and railway awareness sessions.
SWR has invested £40,000 in the partnership with UK Youth, a charity with the vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives.
Focused on educating young people on the risks of trespass, vandalism and level crossing misuse, the project forms part of SWR’s ongoing commitment to support the communities it serves via its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund.
Young people who meet the eligibility criteria can easily register their interest through an online form. There are currently 6 dates available, with all programme costs covered (excluding travel or personal costs).
David Watts, Director of Outdoor Learning, UK Youth, said: “We have heard loud and clear from young people that they want more outdoor learning opportunities especially given the impact of the pandemic over the past few years. This programme allows us to combine the interests and asks of young people with key life skills and safety messaging to equip them for the future.”
Veronika Krcalova, CCIF Manager at South Western Railway, commented: “Our partnership with UK Youth is a great opportunity to engage with younger customers and educate them on the operations and risks of a railway. In turn, we hope that it will improve both the safety of those participating in the course, as well as other customers.”