Community Rail Week: Opening up rail travel for people with sight loss
During Community Rail Week, we’re shining a light on how Sight Loss Councils are working with rail partners to make the network more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
From hands-on ‘Try a Train’ events that build confidence in independent travel, to award-winning creative projects that raise awareness of sight loss, this work demonstrates the impact of community rail partnerships in action.
Try a Train events: Helping people travel with confidence
As part of ongoing efforts to improve access to rail travel, Sight Loss Councils (SLC) in West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester recently partnered with rail operators to deliver ‘Try a Train’ events for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people.
Designed to build confidence and independence, the sessions gave participants the opportunity to explore stations, trains and accessibility features in a supportive environment, while learning how to access support when travelling by rail.
At Leeds Station, West Yorkshire SLC worked with Northern to provide hands-on experience of navigating the station, boarding and alighting trains, and becoming familiar with onboard facilities.
Participants were able to ask questions directly to rail staff and gain reassurance around common concerns, such as using accessible toilets and requesting assistance.
Meanwhile, in Greater Manchester, the SLC partnered with Community Rail Lancashire and Northern for a guided return journey between Manchester and Liverpool, putting their learning into practice with support from volunteers, sighted guides and rail staff.
Iain Mitchell, Senior Engagement Manager for North England, said:
“Try a Train events are a great opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to build confidence in travelling independently.”
The impact of the events was reflected in participant feedback. Toby, a member of South Yorkshire Sight Loss Council, said the experience gave him a “better understanding of how Passenger Assistance can help”, while fellow member Rebecca highlighted the supportive atmosphere, adding: “There are no silly questions – there’s always a solution.”
Participants pictured on a station platform, during West Yorkshire SLC’s ‘Try a Train’ event
For Lynne, who attended the Greater Manchester event, the day marked an important milestone:
“I was so nervous about today, I’ve been awake since 3.30am!
“I haven’t been on a train since losing my sight, but today has been brilliant, I’m so glad I came. I feel more confident now and being able to look around the station and be showed where everything is has made all the difference.
“I nearly cancelled and I’m so glad I didn’t because I’ve had such a lovely day.”
Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for North West England, added:
“It was a really successful day and great to see blind and partially sighted people trying the trains and building their confidence around the station.
“Northern’s accessibility team took the time to answer lots of questions and really put our participants at ease about future travel.”
Together, the events demonstrated how practical experience, peer support and strong partnerships with the rail industry can help blind and partially sighted people travel with greater confidence and independence.
A group photo on the concourse, during Greater Manchester SLCs ‘Try a Train’ event
Award-winning partnership recognised at Community Rail Awards
Community Rail Week is also an opportunity to celebrate collaborative projects that are already making a difference across the rail network.
Earlier this year, Essex Sight Loss Council received national recognition after winning the Community Creative Projects and Station Arts Award at the Community Rail Awards 2026 for its ‘Do You See What I See?’ exhibition, delivered in partnership with Greater Anglia.
The exhibition uses tactile, audio-described and visually re-imagined artwork created by blind and partially sighted people to raise awareness of sight loss and challenge common misconceptions. Displayed at railway stations including Colchester, Norwich and Great Yarmouth, it encourages passengers to engage with the lived experiences of people with sight loss and highlights the importance of accessible travel.
Amy Askew, Engagement Manager for East England, said:
“Sam and I were both so thrilled that Essex Sight Loss Council were honoured with this award. I was personally so proud of Sam as I know her heart and soul went into leading this passion project that uniquely and artistically raises awareness of sight loss and challenges perceptions. We thank Community Rail Network and Greater Anglia for their support of our community and the work we do.”
Amy Askew, Engagement Manager for East England (Maternity Cover) pictured with Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East England at the Community Rail Awards
From helping people take their first train journey after sight loss to creating award-winning station projects, Sight Loss Councils and their rail partners are working together to make journeys more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for blind and partially sighted people.
Find out more about our work to Make Transport Accessible
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Publication date: 02 June 2026