The Feel Good Field Trip campaign funded by Avanti West Coast has been up and running since January 2023. The project aims to provide up to 5000 thousand school children aged between 4-18 with the chance to go on free, enriching and educational days out across the West Coast Mainline. The schools involved have higher than average pupil premium rates (24%). Many will have never had the opportunity to go on such a special field trip – some won’t have even been on a train before.
The project aims to reintroduce school field trips that have been disrupted by the pandemic
and rising travel costs. The goal is to make field trips accessible again, enhancing students’
learning experience
Each trip included travel on an Avanti train, lunch and a memorable experience. Pupils also receive a rail safety session either in school or at the station before their trip.
Some of the trips have included a visit to Soho Sonic recording studio in London, making sculptures at the Herbert Gallery in Coventry, learning about the history of Liverpool by having a tour to the top of the Royal Liver Buildings and a trip on the ferry, cooking a curry, naan bread at Food Sorcery, a visit to Sky Studios and many more.
Click the link below to see a video of a Feel Good Field Trip to the Dukes Theatre in December 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr_3D3Oo5P8
Click the links below for a couple of press releases from trips to train depots. https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/news/avanti-west-coast-and-alstom-open-the-doors-to-oxley-depot-for-feel-good-field-trip https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/news/avanti-west-coast-teams-up-with-alstom-and-angel-trains-to-showcase-careers-for-women
Between January 2023 – July 2024
- 4220 students aged 4-18 have been a Feel Good Field Trip
- 170 trips
- Over 300 Avanti train journeys
- Travel also on Northern, Merseyrail, London Underground and Mersey Ferries
For many of these students this was the first time they have travelled on a train.
The project won an award in the Involving Young People and Children at the Community Rail Awards in March 2024.
For more information contact Dave at dave.savage@communityraillancashire.co.uk
