Vital lifeskills to be taught via video thanks to GWR grant
A Bristol-based project teaching vital safety messages has received a £10,000 grant from Great Western Railway.
Lifeskills Learning For Living will use the funding to develop a video resource package to benefit Year 6 pupils, SEN adults and people with disabilities.
The charity usually delivers a minimum of 12,000 safety talks a year but has had to turn to video during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its safety video resource package is based around various Lifeskills scenarios, including rail, and allows schools and pupils who have subscribed to still be educated.
As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to supporting schools, colleges, community and other not-for-profit organisations by aiding a number of initiatives.
Lifeskills Learning For Living’s Andy Townsend said:
“Lifeskills aims to show pupils that they should be taking personal responsibility for their own safety. Whether in person or via the online video resource package, children learn how to assess risk and cope with difficult situations by taking part in realistic, interactive activities.
“Safety issues covered include electrification, trespass, vandalism, wind turbulence and general station safety, so the centre actively contributes to the reduction of injuries and fatalities on the rail network.
“The Lifeskills centre closed its doors to visitors in March last year and will almost certainly remain closed until September. This funding will add value to a new project which has been developed during the pandemic.”
GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:
“We have a specific pot of money designed to help support schools, colleges and community or other not-for-profit organisations.
“We were pleased to support this project, which has turned to an online video resource package to continue to teach vital safety messages to young people.”
To find out more about Lifeskills Learning For Living please click here.
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023 with an option to extend for a further year.
Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us
With a view to reopening for school visits later this year, Lifeskills will need to recruit many new volunteers to help them facilitate sessions. If you’re interested in joining the team please email sam@lifeskills-bristol.org.uk
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444