The Friends of Southwick Station organised 2 Education Days for 2 local SEND Groups at the Southwick Community Garden. The aim of these two days was to provide life skills to the groups (travelling by train to garden), in a more creative and beneficial environment that is mentally stimulating, in the fresh air/sunshine, away from any enclosed buildings /offices or computers. Allowing the group to interact with staff providing the safety talk and ask questions, instead of just being stuck in front of a computer and receiving a safety briefing from a computer with no interaction.
To provide a face to face, interactive learning experience for the groups outlining the implications of health and safety when members of the public travel by train and the impacts on passengers, GTR staff, train drivers, BTP etc when safety precautions are not respected.
Date – Friday 21 March 2025 – Brighton Forward, from Worthing attended.
Age group 15 to 18.
GTR provided travel for group to give the group life skill experience of travelling by train.
Safety talk provided by Network Rail Community Safety Manager and Community Rail Group, Educational Officer.
Southwick Community Centre provided a lovely walled garden for the group to sit in and enjoy their lunch whilst at the same time using their facilities
Day ended with some volunteering in the garden, weeding, planting tomatoes, strawberries, herbs and constructing much needed troughs.
Numbers attended:
1)2 x Network Rail Staff (Volunteers)
2)1 x Community Rail Partnership member of staff
3)1 x GTR
4)4x helpers/assistants from Brighton Forward, Worthing
5)10 x members from Brighton Forward, Worthing
Date – Friday 28 March 2025 – Brighton Forward, from Shoreham-by-Sea attended.
Age group 15 to 18.
GTR provided travel for group to give the group life skill experience of travelling by train.
Safety talk provided by Network Rail Community Safety Manager and Community Rail Group, Educational Officer.
Southwick Community Centre provided a lovely walled garden for the group to sit in and enjoy their lunch whilst at the same time using their facilities
Day ended with some volunteering in the garden, weeding, planting tomatoes, strawberries, herbs and constructing much needed troughs.
Numbers attended:
2 x Network Rail Staff (Volunteers)
5x helpers/assistants from Brighton Forward, Shoreham by sea
13 x members from Brighton Forward, Shoreham by sea
1 x Local Councillor
Improved understanding and acknowledgement of the dangers of travelling by train. Provided information on call ‘points and other points of reference e.g. assistance for any disabled passengers travelling by train.
Groups were very engaged; the Safety talk allowed a lot of thought and questions around safety. Travelling by train was enjoyed by all, and some had not travelled by train before, so this was a great experience for them.
The groups also asked if they could use the garden in the future and they would like to contribute to the garden by using their artistic skills to make things for the garden including bird boxes, bug houses, scarecrows and a sign for the garden.
- “thank you so much for today- it was fantastic, and the students really enjoyed it”