North East's first dementia-friendly train offers music and stunning scenery
Live music, picnics and massages were on board a 'special' train service, which has started in the North East.
Northern Trains ran a 'Forget-Me-Not' service between Whitby and Middlesbrough this week with more to come.
Passengers were treated to live music, picnics and soothing hand massages on a 'very special trip' on Wednesday (March 19) as Northern Trains launched their first ever dementia-friendly service.
The journey is the first of many designed to give people living with dementia and their carers a safe and calming environment to socialise in and enjoy a relaxing day out while taking in the North East's stunning scenery.
The new dementia-friendly services are the brainchild of Lisa Williams, General Manager of Esk valley Railway Development Company.
She said: 'It is so important to offer an opportunity to those living with dementia and their carers the chance to meet with others going through a similar experience.
'We discovered that both live music and massages are important to them and offering these on board is a very rewarding experience.'
(Image: Northern Trains) Volunteers onboard handed out homemade biscuits, while members of the Friends of Nunthorpe Station group - whose knitted wonders have previously celebrated Royal weddings and Radio 1's Big Weekend - put their needles together to create twiddle muffs.
More 'Forget-Me-Not' services are planned throughout the summer months, with the next taking place on May 21, with two more planned for July 16 and September 17.
Jason Wade, Regional Director for Northern Trains, welcomed the new services.
He said: 'There was a fantastic atmosphere on board and our staff are already looking forward to the next service.
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'We will also continue to work with carers, support groups and charities to make it easier for people with dementia to travel on services and stations across our network.'
People with a Disabled Railcard can buy tickets for the service at a discount for them and a carer.
To travel on a 'Forget-Me-Not' train this summer, tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines, station ticket offices or the Northern Trains website.
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