Press Release – Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast celebrates award-winning Feel Good Field Trips initiative coming to an end with event in Parliament.
• Avanti West Coast’s awarding-winning Feel Good Field Trips scheme comes to an end
• More than 5,000 pupils enjoyed hands on learning and culturally diverse days out by train
• Initiative connected young people to opportunities on west coast that may have been inaccessible to them
Avanti West Coast has marked the final stop for its groundbreaking Feel Good Field Trips initiative with a celebration at Parliament after connecting 5,000 pupils to unique days out.
The train operator’s scheme, which was supported by Community Rail Lancashire, provided 215 trips for 5,250 pupils aged four to 18 and saw 50,000 miles travelled on the West Coast Main Line to 60 destinations.
To celebrate the achievements of Feel Good Field Trips, Avanti West Coast brought together colleagues, stakeholders, pupils, teachers, and Community Rail Partnerships local to its route with a special event at the House of Commons.
It showcased what the scheme delivered and encouraged discussions as to how the train operator can continue to connect young people from all backgrounds to learning opportunities on the west coast. Pupils also got the chance to spot London landmarks and dress-up in railway uniform.
Feel Good Field Trips was launched in April 2022 to build on Avanti’s schools programme, which aspires to connect young people from a range of backgrounds to opportunities across its route.
The initiative was designed to give up to 5,000 pupils aged between four and 18 the chance to travel by train for hands on learning and culturally diverse days out that may have previously been inaccessible for them.
The very first trip was with award-winning spoken word performer and social commentator George the Poet. He gave pupils from Ashbury Meadow Primary School a taste of the experiences on offer by hosting a once-in-a-lifetime poetry writing and recording studio production workshop in a London recording studio.
Over the course of three years, the intercity operator partnered with organisations local to its west coast route to offer unique and varied learning experiences, which included:
• Art workshops at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry.
• A trip to Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke-on-Trent.
• Outdoor adventuring in the Lake District.
• A news and media workshop delivered by The Guardian Foundation.
• A behind-the-scenes tour and matinee performance of Murder on the Orient Express.
Beechwood Primary School in Crewe were one of 105 schools and colleges whose pupils enjoyed a unique outing as part of the initiative. Their Year 3 pupils made a train journey to Liverpool to visit the Royal Liver Building, enjoy a ferry ride on the River Mersey, and explore some of the city’s landmarks.
Dave Savage of Community Rail Lancashire facilitated all the days out. The former geography teacher said:
“I’ve always believed that field trips are a vital part of a child’s education, offering invaluable opportunities to broaden their horizons and experience places beyond their everyday surroundings. Being a part of the Feel Good Field Trips initiative has truly been a pleasure and a privilege. This program has enabled pupils to discover new things, often for the very first time, and to expand their understanding of the world. There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing the excitement and joy on children’s faces. Each journey reminds me of the lasting, positive impact that these trips have on young lives.
“I’m incredibly proud to have planned the trips and am fortunate to have travelled on nearly 120 of these, giving me the chance to get to know the West Coast Mainline in such a unique and personal way,” added Dave.
“This project was made possible through the tremendous support of staff from Avanti West Coast, Community Rail Lancashire and other train operating companies, as well as the dedicated Community Rail Officers along the route. Their commitment and collaboration have allowed us to turn these trips into powerful learning experiences that will stay with the children for a lifetime.”
Andy Mellors, Managing Director of Avanti West Coast, said:
“We’re immensely proud of the unique experiences and learning opportunities our Feel Good Field Trips have offered young people local to our route.
“This amazing achievement is credit to Dave Savage and the support of everyone at Community Rail Lancashire, as well as colleagues at Avanti West Coast. Their dedication and enthusiasm to this initiative has enabled children to learn outside the classroom, visit new places and have fun.
“For many of these children it was the first time they had attended such trips or even been on a train. I was fortunate to see the excitement on their faces when they discovered something new. The impact these days out have had on learning and development has been profound. I hope the trips are something that will stay with the pupils for a long time, as it has certainly provided many memorable experiences for us here at Avanti West Coast.”
Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, whose constituency benefitted from Feel Good Field Trips, said:
“I was delighted to speak at the Avanti West Coast Feel Good Field Trips reception in Parliament.
“The Feel Good Field Trips programme has not only provided students with memorable experiences but has also broadened their horizons and sparked a newfound interest in the world around them. These trips have inspired curiosity and a love for learning.
“As the MP for Crewe and Nantwich, I am particularly proud to see the positive impact this programme has had on our young people, including the students and staff from Underwood West Academy in my constituency, who have been enthusiastic participants in this fantastic initiative.
“Thank you to Avanti West Coast for running this campaign, which has provided thousands of children with invaluable opportunities to participate in enriching experiences across the West Coast Mainline and connected our young people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds with opportunities along the route. We must ensure that railways remain a source of inspiration and opportunity for years to come.”
You can read more about the Avanti West Coast Feel Good Field Trips Project in their report below.