Young Rhys completes ‘life-changing’ travel training in move towards independent life
A YOUNG man with special needs completed “life-changing” travel training — putting him and others on the route to living more independently.
Rotherham Council is investing £170,000 in the scheme in the hope of reducing reliance on its own home-to-school transport service, and taxis.
And his love of public transport made Rhys Thomas (23) the ideal first candidate for the independent travel training, which helps individuals gain confidence to go it alone.
Rhys, who has additional needs and attends Rotherham Opportunities College on St Ann’s Road, said: “I found it a bit scary when I first started it but then a few months later I managed to cope with it very well.
“I feel absolutely proud of myself and I hope everyone, like my friends at college, is going to take part too. I’ll be proud of those guys as well.”
Rhys, of Kimberworth, was presented with a special award last month by the former Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Taj Khan, for being the first person in the borough to complete the training.
Previously, Rhys was unable to use public transport safely by himself, needing to be accompanied on all journeys or rely on his parents for lifts.
Since completing the course, he has been able to use buses for college, getting out at weekends — and enjoying his volunteering role at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum at Aldwarke.
Mum Nicola Parkinson said: “Rhys has always had a very big interest in transport, especially buses and trains. He knows all the timetables and services, he can tell you exactly what you would need to catch to get to the other side of Sheffield.
“When the idea came up, we were over the moon.
“It was something different for Rhys. Because of his special needs, we don’t know how he will take to things until we try.
“Changing circumstances can upset him.
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“If he gets worried, he can worry for days. We’ve had a couple of wobbles with the buses but we just tell him that tomorrow’s another day.”
She added: “Since he has done the training, his confidence has come on in leaps and bounds.
“We’re very proud of what he has achieved and how the training has helped him to flourish.
“It’s also given us the reassurance that he can be independent and travel safely by himself with the right training and support.
“Doing the training has been the best decision we’ve ever made. It’s been life-changing.
“We encourage other parents of young adults to try it too if it’s right for them. It’s made such a big difference for Rhys.”
RMBC says the success of the pilot means scores more Rotherham youngsters are set to benefit from the training.
The council hopes its investment in the training will save money on its home-to-school transport service, where the average cost per passenger is £7,200 a year.
ROC tutor Phil Harrison said: “Just to be selected to take part in the training programme filled Rhys with enormous pride and excitement and to see him develop in his confidence and self-belief was amazing.
“The travel skills he has developed will clearly allow him to travel independently in the future, but the resilience, confidence and problem-solving skills he developed alongside the travelling will allow him greater freedoms in all aspects of life.”
Cllr Dominic Beck, RMBC’s cabinet member for transport and environment, added: “Rhys is a great ambassador for independent travel training and a great example about how it can provide the confidence and lifelong skills many people need to be more independent.
“Following the success of the pilot scheme, the council took the decision to commit more funding in independent travel training as part of our budget proposals for this year, so that more young people and adults from across the borough can benefit.”
Visit RMBC’s website at www.rotherham.gov.uk/schools-schooling for more about the training.