"A much needed bright spot in our lives" Forget Me Not train travels from Bridlington to Hull
On Tuesday May 19 the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership (YCCRP) put on a ‘Forget Me Not’ train with Bridlington Right Minds Dementia Peer Support Group.
The day started with the YCCRP welcoming their guests at Bridlington Station and giving a brief talk about the history of the station and the work that they do there and along the line. Guests then boarded the specially reserved part of the train to music played by talented local acoustic duo ‘Three Rabbits in a Raincoat’. The group also had the pleasure of the company of the Mayor of Bridlington – Angela Walker, and her consort Graham who joined the trip for the whole day.
Community Rail Officer Rachel Osborne said: “This initiative, which took place in Dementia Action Week, drew inspiration from the Esk Valley and Bentham Line Community Rail Partnerships, who both do terrific work on their lines for people living with dementia.
"Rail travel has been found to be very beneficial to people living with dementia as it evokes memories from the past that they can connect with.”
Volunteers from the YCCRP served hot and cold drinks and biscuits to the group as they travelled to Hull, and all enjoyed singing along to the live music and catchy songs.
On arrival at Hull the travellers were greeted by the Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber Cheryl Payne who welcomed them to the city and joined the group photo.
The group then enjoyed a meal at Wings Restaurant while YCCRP volunteers cleared the train and prepared for the return journey.
The return journey was just as much fun and the YCCRP enjoyed chatting to their guests and learning more about what it is like for those living with dementia and their carers. Everyone they spoke to thoroughly enjoyed the day with one lady commenting: “Today is a much needed bright spot in our lives as it is normally very hard and relentless”
This being the first trip of this kind that the YCCRP have done, there were some lessons learned along the way as to how things could be improved and made more inclusive for future trips.
Rachel Osborne said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be part of this very special day and to help put smiles on the faces of these lovely people. I found it a very emotional and eye opening experience.
“The YCCRP thank Northern and Transpennine Express for their help and support.
"Special thanks to the musicians, Mick and Sophie, who really put the extra sparkle and joy into the train journeys with their catchy and uplifting songs, and to Trish Dobbs of the Right Minds Group for her help in organising the event.”