Over the summer Catherine took a group from Huddersfield to Barnsley, having previously taken them to Sheffield earlier in the year. The group have Young Onset Dementia and so traveling by train is something that they don’t all have the confidence to do. With Catherine’s support it allowed them to enjoy a day out and gave them some hints and tips to support them travelling by train with family, friends and carers in the future.

“I just wanted to offer you a huge thank you for facilitating train journeys to Sheffield and Barnsley for our Young Onset Dementia group. As a person, you offer a warm and welcoming approach which adds an important sense of safety for people travelling to unknown places and through environments that are often daunting. We also love the knowledge and enthusiasm you hold for trains and the railway – it is infectious, builds confidence and encourages nostalgic conversation about travel. As a service, what you offer provides a sense of independence that often feels lost to our members and the exploration of places they haven’t seen before. It also means care partners get a full day respite knowing the person they care for is having a safe and enjoyable experience.

In short, the trips are absolutely invaluable to our group members and to us as a charity. Community Links are very grateful to you!” Tina Baguley, Group Facilitator,  Community Links