In News

Thanks to a new partnership with Thameslink, Autism Bedfordshire, an organisation for those living with autism and other sensory conditions in the county, have become an official station partner of Luton Airport Parkway.

The train station links Luton airport with the main rail network. The new partnership will allow adults with autism to meet station workers and go behind the scenes and gain work experience. There will also be a series of Try a Train day, which will give them a chance to work alongside an art therapist to create a mosaic for the London bound platform.

Joe Healy, the station manager of Luton Airport Parkway and Harpenden, told reporters: “We’re very excited to welcome Autism Bedfordshire on board as an official station partner and look forward to working with the group on various projects to enhance the station environment. Stations are at the heart of communities and its wonderful to have community involvement.”

During Autism Awareness Week, which this year takes place between 30th March and 5th April, the team from Autism Bedfordshire will hold a bake sale to raise money for the charity which is dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people around the region. The Adult Services Manager, Sharna Raine, added: “We’re so excited to be working with Thameslink… Not only will this partnership really help everyone in the community understand the autistic community, it will also help our members feel part of the community and feel valued. More often than not, they don’t feel part of the community and don’t feel they fit in, but this is an opportunity to show everyone what they can do.”

This is the second partnership between the rail network and the charity along this line, the group are currently in talks to extend it to include Harlington, Flitwick and Bedford stations.

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