Coffee, Chat, and Navigation event at Eastbourne Station

Wednesday 7 October 10:30am - 3:30pm
Eastbourne station, Terminus Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3QJ

Sussex Sight Loss Council and GTR invite blind and partially sighted people to join us for a Coffee, Chat, and Navigation event at Eastbourne railway station.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other blind and partially sighted people, learn about accessibility improvements at your local station and help shape future developments.

During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a station guide developed by Sight Loss Councils, take part in a guided station walk, and share your experiences of travelling by rail.

Your feedback will help us understand what works well, identify any barriers, and ensure the voices of blind and partially sighted passengers continue to influence accessibility improvements.

During the event

During the event, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Meet the project team: Chat with representatives from Sight Loss Councils and GTR and learn more about the work being carried out at the station.
  • Explore accessibility resources: Discover the station audio guide, onboard train guides, and the Aira app – all designed to support confident and independent rail travel.
  • Take part in a guided station walk: Explore key areas of the station and experience parts of the station guide in action.
  • Share your feedback: Tell us what works well and what could be improved to help make rail travel more accessible for blind and partially sighted passengers.
  • Connect with others: Enjoy refreshments and meet other blind and partially sighted people from your local community.

Book your place at our Eastbourne event

  • Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
  • Location: Eastbourne Railway Station, 5 Terminus Rd, Eastbourne, BN21 3QJ
  • Meeting point: Passenger Lounge, Eastbourne station
  • Booking closes: 5pm, Monday, 5 October

You can attend either of the following sessions:

  • Morning session: 10:30am – 12:30pm
    (Arrive from 10:15am)
  • Afternoon session: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
    (Arrive from 1:15pm)

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please book an additional place for any guide or companion you bring with you.

Book Eastbourne Station morning session

Book Eastbourne Station afternoon session

For any queries, please email info@sightlosscouncils.org.uk

Before you attend

To help inform your feedback, please take a few minutes to listen to or read the station guide before attending the event.

Eastbourne station audio guide

Why attend?

Josh Brown, Sussex SLC member, said:

Headshot of Josh Brown, Sussex SLC member. Josh has a shaved head and a short, grey beard. He is wearing a black hoodie and looking at the camera.“These events are vital because they provide blind and partially sighted people with the opportunity to engage directly with the teams responsible for designing, managing, and improving station and train accessibility.

“Centring lived experience in this way helps ensure our real-world needs are properly understood and is key to building greater independence, safety and dignity for disabled travellers – especially when we can speak directly with the staff and decision-makers who deliver these services.

“Let’s make accessibility more of an ability: something we can all rely on, and something that opens up travel for everyone, without exception.”

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South West England, added:

Headshot of Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England. The photo is taken outside a railway station. Dave is wearing dark sunglasses, and smiling at the camera.“These events are an opportunity to share the work we’ve been doing around train accessibility and find out whether we’re on the right track.

“We want to hear from blind and partially sighted passengers about the resources we’ve developed, how useful they are in practice, and what further changes could help make rail travel more accessible and inclusive.”

Clinton, a member of Sussex SLC, said:

Headshot of Clinton Corrin, West Sussex SLC member. Clinton has short grey hair, wearing glasses, and a dark green V-neck jumper.“These events are crucial because they give blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to engage directly with the teams responsible for station and train accessibility.

“Putting lived experience at the heart of these conversations helps create positive change and supports greater independence for disabled travellers.”

SLC member Clinton is standing next to a trains doors and is pushing the open doors button. Clinton is looking at the camera smiling, while holding a white-cane.

Clinton getting ready to board a train

About Sight Loss Councils

Sight Loss Councils are led by blind and partially sighted members. Together, they tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.

Photography and video

During registration, you will be asked whether you are happy to be included in photographs, videos or other images taken at the event. These will be used for promotional purposes, raising the profile of our work and for sharing information and good practice. Please note, if you do not wish to be included, you may still feature in the background.

Join our mailing list

When you register, we will ask whether you would like to join our mailing list.

By consenting to receive our emails you agree to your data being retained and used to send you information of interest to you. We will not sell or rent your information to third parties. We may share your information with third parties such as MailChimp or SurveyMonkey in order to send you communications or to canvass your opinion. You can opt out of these communications at any time by emailing info@sightlosscouncils.org.uk

 

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