There are many people – those who are most vulnerable or living in more rural areas – who haven’t actually left their immediate communities in two years! Providing support to help individuals build back their confidence and re-engage in local activities, including access to rail travel, is now one of the key priorities for the Community Rail team at Transport for Wales (TfW).
For those who aren’t familiar, there are currently six Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) across Wales, all supported by TfW’s Community Rail team. Partnerships include stalwarts such as the Heart of Wales, covering 34 stations between Swansea and Shrewsbury, as well as the newly formed South West Wales Connected, which takes in stations such as Port Talbot, Fishguard Harbour and Pembroke Dock. Though each Partnership serves diversely different regions, each is taking up the shared challenge to develop projects that tackle the issues of isolation and loneliness caused by Covid-19.
WALKING FOR WELLBEING
A great example of what has already been achieved is the award-winning Walking for Wellbeing project, led by the Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coast CRP in collaboration with mental health charity Mind and Carneddau Landscape Partnership.
