#Inclusive Journey

Journey to Blackpool-
The journey started in Crediton at 8:00 am, this train then took us to Exeter St David’s where we then got a train to Bristol. On the train to Bristol we sat near the window which we looked out and saw the M5. Whilst we were waiting at Bristol we went and got a cup of tea. At all the stations we visited we had got some assistance, each person was helpful and nice. We got on the train to Blackpool and again sat by the window. Whist I was on the train I did some colouring. There was an accessible toilet on the train which I found very useful as it was a long journey. When we had got to Blackpool it was still sunny as it was 1:30 pm.
 
In Blackpool-
When we got to Blackpool we got a taxi to the hotel to get settled in, at the hotel the people who worked there used signing which was helpful and made me very happy. There was also some dancers at the hotel who were talking about what they do. We went on a walk on the seafront waiting for it to get dark so we could see the Christmas tree lights. For dinner we had fish a chips which was yummy. When the Christmas lights got turned on there was fireworks which were very beautiful. The hotel was particularity nice because I got to have a bath. The next day we went on a tour around Blackpool in a taxi that took 2 hours. We then sadly had to go home all to soon.
 
Journey back home-
We got the train back in the afternoon it was the same route back as it was on the way there. On the train back I got a tea from the refreshments cart, the lady who served me was very nice. On the way back I sat by the window again. When we got back to Exeter it was still light. We got back at Crediton at 6.30 pm it was less light, I then got dropped off at home.
 
Published by Eliot Palfreman

Our journey started out in Crediton early, so early that I don’t remember the time.

The journey continued in Exeter at St David’s train station, where we got a train to Clapham Junction, and later the Overground tube to Shepherds Bush. The train to Clapham Junction left Exeter at 7:25 am and got there at 10:36 am. On the train we had all managed to get a seat that was at a table. As there was only 4 seats and 5 of us one had to sit at the opposite table and that had ended up being me, Abbie. As the train kept going more people got on, I ended up with 3 strangers on the same table as me.

An addtional problem we had faced on the train was there was no refreshments cart till Salisbury (the one who was meant to get on at Axminster did not turn up), this was hard because we all had to be up early in order to catch our train so people were tired and wanting coffee and food (Abi and Dominic especially!).

You may be thinking why did we do this?
Why is this person documenting their journey on the train?
How did I end up reading this?

Well reader, that is what I am going to explain. It all started with a new project called ‘Inclusive Journeys’ which we are doing with the company Great Western Railway. This project is to help people understand what it may be like for people to get the train if they have  'Learning Disabilities' or 'Autism Labels'.

Each time we go on the train we fill out the #Inclusive Journeys questionnaire, which was created by our very own Tom Burns with the help of everyone within The Turning Tides Project.

Written by Abbie Morl, Published by Eliot Palfreman