Northern workers trained to help protect rising number of vulnerable railway users

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Northern workers trained to help protect rising number of vulnerable railway users

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Northern staff in uniform
Northern staff in uniform // Credit: Northern

Train operator is arranging training for its workforce to help protect the rising number of vulnerable passengers.

Each year, conductors, customer service and station staff interact with tens of millions of passengers.

These include people who are considered vulnerable in various ways, including through experience of abuse, addiction and intimidation, or in mental distress.

During the recent summer, Northern staff helped three people with interventions that were potentially life-saving.

Northern train conductor Paul Singh. // Credit: Northern
Northern train conductor Paul Singh // Credit: Northern

Through its membership of the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme (SRS), Northern is arranging training for its staff on what to do when they spot something that seemsm‘not quite right’.

Dealing with these situations effectively requires knowledge, skills, and confidence, which the training aims to impart.

The and British Transport Police developed the SRS.

Northern Class 323
Northern Class 323 // Credit: RAIB

The charity , which works to identify and intervene to assist individuals at risk on the railway, will deliver the training.

British Transport Police also intervene in thousands of cases involving vulnerable people each year, including ‘county lines’ drug-dealing activity, people in distress and victims of domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation. You can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or phoning 0800 40 50 40.

Lisa Leighton
Lisa Leighton // Credit: Northern

“Everyone who works on the railway has an important part to play in supporting and protecting the vulnerable people who use our trains and stations.

“In the last three months alone, colleagues across our network have intervened to help people in distress on a number of occasions – and I’m so relieved they did.

“As someone who volunteers for Samaritans, I know how important it is for people to receive the help they need, when they need it most.

“Training courses like the one we’re delivering to our employees could make all the difference to someone going through a hard time.”

Lisa Leighton, people director at Northern

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