Katie, who is supported in Sunderland, is celebrating an important milestone after achieving her goal of travelling further by train during a memorable day trip to Newcastle.
For many months, Katie has been working towards building her confidence on longer train journeys. Although she loves travelling by train, waiting on the platform can sometimes make her feel anxious. With patient, person-centred support from the team, Katie has gradually built her confidence through shorter journeys, helping her take each step at a pace that felt right for her.
One of her latest adventure saw Katie travel beyond her usual route and take the train to Newcastle – an exciting achievement and another step towards her long-term goal of one day enjoying a train trip to York.
To help make the journey as enjoyable as possible, the team carefully planned the day by checking train times in advance, reducing waiting times and helping Katie feel confident and relaxed. Katie regularly asks about the train, excitedly saying, “choo choo train”, as she looks forward to her next adventure.
Newcastle was the perfect destination, offering some of Katie’s favourite shops and restaurants, as well as plenty to see and do. She spent the day exploring the museum, enjoying a stroll along the banks of the River Tyne and finishing her visit with a bite to eat while watching the boats go by.
Throughout the day, Katie’s happiness shone through, with lots of happy vocal sounds and smiles as she completed her longest train journey yet.
Mel, Deputy Manager, said: “Katie has been working towards this goal for many months and it has been wonderful to see her confidence grow. She really enjoyed her visit to Newcastle and we can’t wait to support her on her next adventure – a day trip to York.”
Supporting people to achieve personal goals, no matter how big or small, is an important part of person-centred support. By taking the time to understand what matters most to Katie and supporting her to achieve her goals at her own pace, the team has helped her reach another important milestone.
Congratulations, Katie! We hope you enjoy many more adventures by train as you continue working towards your exciting goal of visiting York.
