03 December 2024 •
The team from local train operator c2c Trenitalia welcomed 13-year-old Rainham-resident Bowie to Fenchurch Street station ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024.
The visit was arranged after members of the c2c team met Bowie’s family earlier in the year and learnt about his passion for the railway.
During the visit Bowie, who has autism, stepped into the role of train announcer, learnt how to dispatch a train and completed a train ‘lockout’ – the process c2c colleagues undertake on board before trains are returned to the depot.
Fay, Bowie’s mum, said,“I have always championed Bowie to believe he can do whatever he sets his heart on, autism isn’t a barrier – it’s his superpower!
“One of his dreams in life is to be a Station Announcer and c2c made this happen. We cannot thank them enough for the kindness they showed us. The team and the station staff were so autism aware that Bowie felt right at home.
“We have made lifelong friends with the team at Fenchurch Street and will always make sure we say hello when passing through!”
Femi Oyetunji, c2c Customer Delivery Manager managing London stations, hosted Bowie’s visit and said, “We were honoured to welcome Bowie to Fenchurch Street station and were really happy to be able to show him some behind the scenes railway action. I loved showing Bowie around the station and seeing how much he enjoyed the experience.
“I know he was practicing the announcement script at the weekend and this really showed in his word-perfect delivery. He is very welcome to come back to see us any time.”
c2c is committed to making its route as accessible as possible and within the business we are driving accessibility improvements across our east London and south Essex network.
Looking ahead, customers will start to see some of these improvements in the new year, with Grays station soon to be fully accessible with the addition of two new lifts, delivered as part of the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ scheme.
Paul McGunnigle White, c2c’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said, “It is really important for us as an industry to adapt so we attract and welcome more autistic and neurodiverse customers.
“At c2c, we are committed to ensuring our network is accessible for everyone and we have an ongoing programme of work which develops colleagues’ awareness of how autistic people or other neurodiverse passengers might behave or act during their journey.
“To continue this important work, we have built strong relationships with our communities along the route and local partners like the Sycamore Trust charity who are based in Barking, Dagenham and Havering. They help people and their families pre and post autism diagnosis, supporting them through education and work and everyday challenges, and also providing awareness education and Autism Ambassador training.”
Notes to Editors
c2c and Accessibility
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- The rail operator is committed to making its route as accessible as possible and in June 2024 appointed its first Accessibility and Integrated Travel Manager, with Steve Scutt joining the business to drive accessibility improvements across the east London and south Essex network.
- c2c is also set to take on a professional membership with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. This initiative provides a discreet way for passengers with non-visible disabilities to indicate that they may need additional support or time.
- By wearing a sunflower lanyard, passengers can signal to c2c staff that they might require extra assistance during their journey. The lanyards are available free of charge at c2c stations or can be requested by post. This commitment reflects c2c’s dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive travel environment for all passengers.
- c2c has recently worked with local charity, the Sycamore Trust to make a short film that shows how families with a neuro-diverse family member might travel on the rail network. Find out more about this work here.
- Find out more about the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) here.
- Images and Video of Bowie’s day at Fenchurch Street station – credit c2c.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. More than one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and there are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Find out more by visiting the National Autistic Society’s website here.