Two young wheelchair users, Kash from Croydon and Jasper from Reigate, are promoting what Govia Thameslink Railway believes is London's first step-free art trail.
The trail opened today (Monday 19 June) and runs through the summer to 20 August. It is called ‘Morph's Epic Art Adventure', features 56 six-foot sculptures of the popular 1970s clay character Morph at locations along the River Thames and in central London.
Various artists and celebrities painted the sculptures. After the trail finishes, the Morphs will be available to buy at auction, with Whizz-Kidz hoping to raise half a million pounds to provide wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences for young people, and to campaign.
Morph first appeared in 1977 in the BBC children's programme Take Hart, and later had a series of his own. GTR explains that Morph was chosen for the trail “because his freedom is limited by his environment – the presenter's table – and many of his adventures are born out of frustration with these limitations and the challenges of being a little guy in a big world”, which, it argues, “echoes the daily experience of many young wheelchair users”.
Obstacles and barriers in society – including other people's attitudes, behaviour and perceptions – limit young wheelchair users' opportunities to travel and participate in society freely and independently.
The trail is open to everyone, but particularly aims to raise public awareness of young wheelchair users' need for mobility and social inclusion. A trail map and app will help visitors to navigate through London to see the Morphs.
Kash and Jasper have worked with GTR and charity Whizz-Kidz to promote the trail. They both appear in promotional videos which give viewers insight into their journeys and will be available across social media.
Visitors can access the trail from Thameslink stations London Blackfriars, London Bridge, City Thameslink and Farringdon. These stations have step-free access from the train to the platform and onto street level.
Overall, fewer than a quarter (56 out of 247) of GTR's stations offer full step-free access from the street to all platforms.
Eleven-year-old Kash Smith, from New Addington, Croydon, says: “I have cerebral palsy, although my condition affects all my four limbs, I try not to let it affect me mentally and I am so happy that I have such supportive and caring family who encourages me.”
Mum, Latoya, adds: “We do take the train to Victoria or London Bridge and they have a good system: as soon as we go to buy our ticket a staff member comes up to offer assistance and there's always someone on the platform there with a ramp.”
Ten-year-old Jasper Collins features in a video taking the train to London with his mum and brother. Mum Kate Collins said: “As soon as we get on the platform, someone is there to assist us and puts up a ramp and helps us on so it's always very smooth.”
Jasper added: “I'm really excited to see the Morph step-free trail. It is going to be really fun! I can't wait to have a day out in London and find them all!”
Thameslink commissioned a Morph of its own to promote accessible and inclusive travel to London's landmarks. Twin sisters Phillippa and Rachael Corcutt, who are autistic, painted the statue, which is now located outside London Blackfriars' south bank entrance.
Rachael explained: “Accessibility is so important and having staff trained to assist people with non-visible and visible disabilities is a wonderful way of making it easier and more accessible for people to use rail services.
“We are both autistic and non-verbal, so having staff that can help and assist with certain aspects of travelling by rail is really helpful and we think it's really important that people with disabilities feel enabled.
“This design evokes a sense of adventure and discovery and travel. We wanted to showcase the sites and buzz of the city from exploring the well-known landmarks to finding somewhere new.”
Partnerships Manager Jackie Bookal said: “It's not just Morph's Epic Art Adventure trail that will wow families. There are lots of step-free attractions, including the SEA LIFE Centre, Shrek Adventures and St Paul's Cathedral that have great 2-for-1 deals for anyone with a rail ticket. That coupled with our ‘Kids for £2' ticket and Advance fares means a family could travel to London very cheaply.”
Sarah Pugh, Chief Executive at Whizz-Kidz said: “We are thrilled to be involved in this step-free art trail project as it not only provides accessibility for all to experience the beauty of art but also helps to raise awareness about our charity's cause. We strongly believe in the power of art to bring about positive change, and this project is a wonderful way to draw attention to our mission and impact more lives.”
GTR Accessibility Improvement Manager Sophie Court said: “We are committed to creating a more accessible and inclusive railway, where everyone has the confidence to travel, no matter what their disability or need for assistance.
“We've teamed up with Whizz-Kidz as this is a fantastic opportunity to help promote this terrific step-free trail and tell people about the assistance we have on offer.
“We're the perfect partners to get people to the trail, as all the London train stations between St Pancras and London Bridge have step-free access for our Thameslink passengers from station entrance to train.
“This trail is a great day out for wheelchair users and their families. With these routes being step-free you can just enjoy the sights.”
