Independent Travel Training (ITT) has opened up a whole new world of getting out and about for a county teenager – here’s how it happened.
Stepping out independently has become possible for 15-year-old Harvey Horton from Stamford after he earned his highly-prized Independent Travel award.
Harvey, a student at Willoughby Academy in Bourne, has been working hard with a Lincolnshire County Council travel trainer so that he is able to use public transport for independent travel.
Harvey has spent the past six months working towards this award with his ‘travel trainer’ Alison. Once a week, the pair have been putting in hours of travel theory, delivered in real time on a series of pre-planned routes, while walking and accessing public transport.
Once Harvey felt ready to progress, the training moved to using everyday buses to gain valuable practical experience. “At the start of his training Harvey had to learn the route from home to school.
This involved a walking route and a bus journey,” said Alison.
“In addition, he had to learn about road safety and how to travel on a public bus. This can come with specific challenges, and throughout his training, he learnt how to deal with all sorts of ‘What if?’ situations that included scenarios like missing a stop on the bus, or if an expected bus arrived late.
“As his training continued, Harvey became more confident with the routes to and from school, and it wasn’t long until he was travelling independently.
“Harvey is quiet and thoughtful and has a wonderful ability to make you laugh. Something we found was that, even though Harvey can tire easily, he was determined and dug-in to continue his travel training each week, through all weathers.
“Together with the support of his family and the school Harvey completed his training and now travels to school independently – something that so many people take for granted.”
That transformation for Harvey has been an overriding positive which will continue to empower the student as he continues to learn. His mum, Kelly said: “Travel training has been a very valuable tool for Harvey. It has improved his confidence greatly.”
Mike Reed, head of transport, said: “Harvey’s achievement is outstanding and really shows the amount of hard work he has put into the programme.
“Harvey will make the fullest use of our exceptional bus network to get across the county as and when he wants to, which is what our scheme is all about.
“The overall message we try to get across is that it isn’t just about the journey that happens to and from school, it is also very much about all the additional journeys in the future that students will be able to do.”
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for transport, added: “Harvey’s award is very well deserved and a real credit to the Independent Travel Training programme.
“We are justifiably proud of the trainers and everyone who takes part in this specialist one-to-one scheme to empower life-improving skills for those wanting to travel in the county.
Independent Travel Training
Can ITT help you or someone you know?
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from time with the brilliant Independent Travel Trainers at the county council, please let us know, using any of the methods below.
You can be a Travel Trainer too!
Yes, it’s true. Anyone can apply to become an Independent Travel Trainer on behalf of a student. If you think that you could provide this brilliant service helping someone to benefit from public transport, then please get in touch.
Here’s how to get in touch
- Take a look at the Independent Travel Training page here
- Email us directly at ITT@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Trainer details
Currently, there are five travel trainers at Lincolnshire County Council and they work on a one-to-one basis with students. The first started at the authority in 2019. All of the team have a background in education or training and the majority have worked within SEND schools, or with students with additional needs.
Why ITT was launched
The department was set-up to assist SEND students and enable them to access public transport/bus services/safe walking routes rather than having to travel by taxi to their educational establishment.
How it begins
All the students we train are eligible for educational transport provided by the council. Due to their individual needs, they are initially allocated to a taxi as the most appropriate provision. Following an individual assessment of the student, which includes talking to school and parents, the Travel Training programme then supports them to move away from the taxi provision either completely or in gradual steps.
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