Great Western Railway (GWR) has become the first UK train operator to receive national recognition for creating an autism-friendly travel environment, after being awarded the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award across its entire network.

The certification recognises organisations that take clear steps to support autistic people through accessible customer service, improved information and more inclusive station and onboard environments. GWR previously received regional recognition for work between Plymouth and Penzance in 2023, but the new award confirms its commitment network-wide.

The railway’s efforts have already had a positive impact on families such as the Pollocks from Bristol. Eleven-year-old Brodie regularly travels on GWR services with his parents, Richard and Hayley, and has benefitted from the company’s autism-friendly initiatives.

“GWR is a big part of our family,” Hayley said. “Experiencing the support they have put in place and knowing they have achieved this Autism Friendly Award shows it is leading the way for railway inclusion. I hope other train operators take note.”

GWR Accessibility Mentor Coral Thomas welcomed the national accreditation, describing it as a milestone in making rail travel more inclusive.
“We are proud to be the first train operator to achieve national autism accreditation across our entire network, building on the success of our 2023 accreditation between Plymouth and Penzance,” she said. “This milestone reflects a sustained commitment to making rail travel more accessible and supportive for all. While I’ve been closely involved in leading these initiatives from the very beginning, it has only been possible through the collaboration of colleagues across many departments who share the same passion for improving the experience of every customer, irrespective of their needs. We look forward to continue to look for innovative approaches and solutions for accessibility and welcome suggestions from the travelling public.”

The National Autistic Society praised GWR’s work and encouraged more businesses to adopt autism-friendly practices.
“We are delighted Great Western Railway has achieved the Autism Friendly Award, helping to make society a more autism-friendly place for autistic people and their families,” said Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects. “There are lots of small changes businesses can make to better support autistic people, and just a little understanding can go a long way. We hope to work with as many businesses as possible to help create a society that works for autistic people.”

More than 700,000 people in the UK are autistic, and many still face barriers when accessing public spaces, shops and services. The National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation Programme remains the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance scheme designed to promote best practice and wider inclusion.

Image: Great Western Railway