The Feel Good Field Trip campaign, funded by Avanti West Coast, has been running since January 2023 with the aim of providing up to 5,000 school children, aged between 4 and 18, the chance to enjoy free, enriching, and educational days out across the West Coast Mainline. The participating schools have higher than average pupil premium rates (24%), and many of the children involved had never previously experienced a field trip or even traveled on a train.

Dave Savage, Community Rail Officer at Community Rail Lancashire, has led the project since its inception. Since the first Feel Good Field Trip in 2023, over 5,250 pupils and 850 staff have participated in 215 trips to 60 destinations, covering over 50,000 miles on the West Coast Main Line. For many, this experience marked their first train journey or visit to iconic locations, making it a memorable and rewarding experience for all involved.

The trips have offered children the chance to explore a variety of new experiences. Activities have included cooking on a mountain in the Lake District, participating in theatre workshops with West End stars, receiving journalism tips at the Guardian Newspaper head office, learning about the rail industry at Alstom train depots, recording songs in a state-of-the-art recording studio, and cooking lessons at a professional cookery school. These activities not only educate but also inspire curiosity and broaden horizons.

Each trip includes travel on an Avanti train, lunch, and a memorable activity. Pupils also receive a rail safety session either at school or the station before their journey to ensure a safe and informed experience.

The success of the Feel Good Field Trip campaign has been driven by collaboration. The partnership between rail operators, community rail groups, and other key stakeholders has been crucial in providing free travel, safety talks, and the coordination necessary to create these impactful trips. The collective effort has enabled inspiring venues and experiences to be made accessible to children who might not have had such opportunities otherwise.

To celebrate the project’s completion, Avanti West Coast hosted a Parliamentary Reception on 13th January. The event was attended by Avanti West Coast staff, the Community Rail Lancashire team, other community rail partners, railway operating companies, and many venue hosts who played a vital role in making the trips special. Pupils from four participating schools also attended, sharing their positive experiences and celebrating the success of the initiative.

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

The project won an award in the Involving Young People and Children at the Community Rail Awards in March 2024. The project was also shortlisted for awards at the National Transport Awards and the Spotlight Rail Awards in 2024

For more information contact Dave at dave.savage@communityraillancashire.co.uk