Unique Voice, GWR & CrimeStoppers Partnership

Unique Voice, GWR & CrimeStoppers Partnership

Since 2024 Unique Voice, GWR and CrimeStoppers have partnered to bring immersive education experiences exploring rail safety, travel, community, and social responsibility to young people across the South West. .

Journey Tales

Journey Tales has been designed to engage targeted primary aged young people in an exciting exploration of rail safety, travel, community, and social responsibility. By leveraging the immersive power of storytelling and interactive engagement, we aim to inspire young minds to become conscientious travellers and active contributors to their communities.

Autumn 2024 saw primary school students from across the area taking part in interactive workshops before boarding a GWR train at Bridgwater Train Station to experience an immersive audio play.

After a hugely successful first run, we brought this project to the young people of Penzance with a new focus on employment opportunities on the rail and celebrating 200 years of the modern railway.

On Board

In 2025 as the nation celebrated 200 years of the modern railway, a creative new project has been supporting secondary aged young people in Bridgwater explore the railway’s past, present and future – and gain the skills they need to travel safely and confidently –  thanks to support from Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund.

Following the same format as Journey Tales, this project explores powerful and timely themes, including rail safety, county lines, ticketing and accessibility, anti-social behaviour and climate-conscious travel – encouraging participants to reflect on what it means to be a responsible rail user, connected member of their community and the opportunities the railway opens up for exciting career prospects.

Testimonials

“At a time when young people are facing so many social pressures, projects like ‘On Board’ create safe and inspiring spaces for them to explore independence, respect and responsibility,” – Cat Sparkes-Walsh, Co-founder and Director at Unique Voice.

 

“The children had a fantastic experience on the train and this real-life, hands on learning meant that they were engaged throughout. The staff involved were kind, caring, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We would definitely recommend!” – Journey Tales Teacher

“It was good to learn about safety on the railway.” – On Board participant (young person)

“Learnt about more job opportunities – decent experience” – On Board participant (young person)

“One of the best days in my life, this experience will be unforgettable!” – On Board participant (young person)

“I loved learning about trains with you” – Journey Tales participant (young person)

“I enjoyed the audio, the train, everything” – Journey Tales participant (young person)

“I normally don’t like train journeys but today I’ve really enjoyed travelling by train” – Journey Tales participant (young person)

A Great Day Out by Train: Learning on The Move!

As part of our learning about railways, we’re inviting families to think about safe, sustainable and connected journeys. We have put together a free guide for your next day out, this includes activities for the whole family.

Download your free Journey Tales guide to enjoying safe, green and connected travel here. – for Primary Aged Young People

 

If you are someone who works with young people and are interested in bringing Journey Tales or On Board to your setting please email Krystal@uniquevoice.org