Local rail operator Trenitalia c2c is delighted to announce that its involvement with the Rail Safe Friendly programme has had a social value impact of over £1.8 million in c2c's local communities.
The Rail Safe Friendly (RSF) programme is dedicated to spreading the vital message of rail safety among young individuals, educators and parents throughout schools in the UK. c2c supports the mission of the RSF that every child should be equipped with the essential knowledge to navigate the railway environment safely.
As part of our commitment to community, safety and schools in our local communities, from July 2023 – April 2025, c2c is proud to have helped deliver vital rail safety sessions to 87 different schools, reaching over 60,000 people.
c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said: “c2c is a community railway and we understand the impact we can have on young people by supporting the Rail Safe Friendly programme. We are committed to keeping children safe when using the railway and by going into schools and educating them on the potential risks and dangers, we can help ensure that everybody gets home safe.”
The response to the sessions from the schools has been overwhelmingly positive.
At Westcliff High School for Girls, students were ‘fully engaged and visibly moved by the session.’ School staff noted a clear improvement in awareness and suggested including tips on behaviour in stations and trains, as well as PSHE topics like mental health and respect for others.
Harold Wood Primary pupils asked thoughtful questions about electrified tracks and station safety. Teachers praised the session’s impact.
At The Willows Primary school, children engaged well and showed a good understanding of existing safety rules, while staff felt the video clearly communicated the dangers.
Recently, c2c Head of Revenue Protection and Security, Iain Palmer, became a Rail Safe Friendly Ambassador - making him the first RSF Ambassador to come from a UK Train Operating Company (TOC).
Iain, said: “I'm really proud to be a Rail Safe Friendly Ambassador. Having sponsored 100 schools last year - and another 150 up and coming this year to reach 'Gold Standard' - this partnership sees tens of thousands of students in our local communities educated in railway safety. That can only be a good thing and I urge any interested companies to get involved as well."
Rob Mullen added: “I’d like to congratulate Iain on becoming the first RSF Ambassador to come from a UK TOC. Iain’s dedication to ensuring children and young people stay safe when using the railway typifies the core values everybody here at c2c has.”
