Kirkby Stephen East
  • Home
  • Opening Times & Getting Here
  • Model Railway Show 2022
  • Volunteering with SRC
  • Events
  • Accessibility
    • Autism Friendly Visitor Experience
    • Dementia Friendly Visiting
  • Online Shop
  • Educational Visits
  • Supporting Us & Getting Involved
  • Our Heritage
    • Our Rolling Stock
  • The Cumbrian Victorian Locomotive Experience Project
  • Other Things to Do Locally
  • Xmas Fayre 2021
  • Easter Fayre and Cumbria Easter Rally 2022

Autism Friendly
​Visitor Experience

Updated 22/05/2022
​
We are committed to providing the best possible experience for people with autism and ADHD.
This page will detail our strategy for helping visitors with autism & ADHD and their family or carers to have a great time at KSE. We have a number of volunteers who have neurodiversity and we welcome visitors with autism, ADHD and other special educational needs (SEN).
We have designated quiet areas for people with additional needs. Dr Sue Jones, one of our directors, has a specialist interest in neurodiversity and SEN in her professional capacity.

Please feel free to contact our platform staff to discuss your specific needs before visiting KSE and we will do our best to help you. We can arrange pre-visits for carers and family to assess the site and decide how they want to visit Kirkby Stephen East - pre-visit planning.

We are building active links with the 'All Aboard Club' to develop autism and ADHD friendly events for children and their families and carers. We plan to hold a pilot event for the All Aboard Club 16th July 2022 .
The All Aboard Club was established in 2018 by Richard Semmens who was diagnosed with autism in 2015. It was originally called the The Engine Shed - South London and became the All Aboard Club in 2020. It provides railway themed child-led play sessions which allow children to share their interest with their peers to develop ways to play together. Sessions last  2 hours and charges apply for each child with their accompanying carer / parent admitted for free.

Inclusive Train Play Sessions for Children Living with Autism & ADHD 
Saturday 16th July 2022  is our inaugral event with a two hour session 10am - 12 midday and if this is fully booked a second session will run 2pm - 4pm. Pre-booking is required and the ticket link will be added once it is set up. Admission costs £0 - 13.52 (£12 plus £1.52 booking fee) accompanying adults and carers are free the cost is per child. 
Cancellation policy - if you have to cancel please contact us for a refund - the booking fee is non-refundable. 
The children can build and play with our huge train sets in a safe, understanding and supportive environment. We have a large undercover platform area with separate quiet room and an outdoor platform area. 
At the play sessions, the children are in charge. They can run the trains, build the track, and sort out any problems. It builds their confidence, reduces their anxiety, and allows them to play for hours, whiledeveloping their social and communication skills.
The children can play on the floor and on tables if that's easier for them.
Our sessions aresuitable forchildren and siblings aged 4 and upwards. A parent or adult carer needs to stay for the whole session.

We have light refreshments in our 1930s buffet car and a well stocked shop.



Location

Check our Tripadvisor page for latest reviews  link

Fantastic
Oct 2021
...brilliant - the three of us all loved this railway and museum. Lovely people who went out of their way to make our visit enjoyable,
Written November 3, 2021'

Contact Us

Telephone :  017683 71700
(answerphone & manned at weekends)


Mail: The East Station, South Road,
Kirkby Stephen Cumbria CA17 4LA


  • Home
  • Opening Times & Getting Here
  • Model Railway Show 2022
  • Volunteering with SRC
  • Events
  • Accessibility
    • Autism Friendly Visitor Experience
    • Dementia Friendly Visiting
  • Online Shop
  • Educational Visits
  • Supporting Us & Getting Involved
  • Our Heritage
    • Our Rolling Stock
  • The Cumbrian Victorian Locomotive Experience Project
  • Other Things to Do Locally
  • Xmas Fayre 2021
  • Easter Fayre and Cumbria Easter Rally 2022