New Passenger Assist Points at Northern Stations to make travel easier for people with accessibility needs

8 Passenger Assist Points will be installed across Northern Stations in the coming months to help make travel easier and more accessible for people with accessibility needs.

These new designated areas at key Stations across the network will feature clear and accessible signage, as well as seating to make it easier for passengers to get the assistance they need when travelling on Northern services.

Locations will include:- Barrow in Furness, Blackpool North, Bolton, Halifax, Harrogate, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Victoria and Meadowhall Stations.

Passengers will be able to wait in these areas or ask for help when they book train travel through:- 'Passenger Assist' - a national scheme for any passengers who require assistance to travel on the rail network.

It allows people to contact Northern and other train operators and they can help you on and off trains as well as reserve wheelchair spaces and seats.

The scheme is part of Northern's ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and inclusively on its services.

Mark Powles, customer and commercial director at Northern, said:- "We are delighted to be installing these new Passenger Assist Points across our network. We know that travelling by rail can be challenging for some passengers and we are committed to doing everything we can to make it easier and more accessible for everyone."

Northern was recently recognised at the Rail Business Awards, winning the Customer Service Excellence category, for its development of:- 'The Accessible Travel Simulation,' an app designed to support people who are anxious or need to build confidence to travel by train. For more information visit:- Northern.

The Sovini Group advocating for neurodiversity in the workplace

4 neurodiverse students from across the Liverpool City Region enrolled on the Group's Supported Internship programme. The programme, which was a collaborative project between:- The Sovini Group and Liverpool City Council, gave students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the construction industry alongside commercial partners Sovini Property Services, Teal Scaffold, Sovini Trade Supplies and Sovini Construction.

The Sovini Group provides quality construction, property and facilities services to the public, not for profit and private sectors. The Group's unique end-to-end service spans the property and construction supply chain with profits reinvested to build new homes and support local communities.

Roy Williams, CEO for The Sovini Group said:- "We are delighted to have partnered with Liverpool City Council to deliver our 1st Supported Internship programme. We pride ourselves on creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture for all colleagues to thrive in. Creating opportunities for local young people to gain meaningful work experience supports our organisation to fulfil our vision to create a better future."

The National Autistic Society report, at least 700,000 autistic adults live in the UK, of which only 15% are in employment.

Chloe Foran, SEND Employment Support Officer at Liverpool City Council said:- "Only 4.8% of people in England and 4.1% of people in the Northwest with a learning disability and/or autism who are known to local authorities go on to secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers. The supported internship placements created by The Sovini Group are such a fantastic chance for young people to gain meaningful hands-on practical experience within the construction industry. These opportunities are so valuable and life changing for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism on their journey to employment. I am looking forward to following the progression of all young people throughout their supported internship."

Find out more about The Sovini Group, at:- Sovini.Co.UK. Find out more information about Supported Internships at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK.