West Midlands Railway Offers Free Travel to Care-Experienced People

West Midlands Railway has announced a new partnership that will give free rail travel to dozens of care-experienced people across the region.

The initiative, created with the Susan Vickers Foundation, will provide complimentary rail passes to 40 members of the Wolverhampton-based charity, which supports care-experienced people and care-leavers.

Each pass will allow unlimited travel for one day across both the West Midlands Railway network and the network of sister operator London Northwestern Railway.

The scheme has been developed in response to challenges faced by care leavers, including social exclusion and a lack of access to shared cultural experiences. The National Care Leaver Covenant Impact Report identified those issues as major reasons why some care leavers feel disconnected from wider society.

By removing the cost of rail travel, WMR hopes the passes will help members of the Foundation take part in day trips and cultural visits, including journeys to museums, theatres, landmarks and other destinations across the rail network.

The partnership was formally launched at the Wolverhampton Mental Health Hub, where local stakeholders, Foundation service users and West Midlands Railway representatives gathered to mark the scheme.

Sophie Gardner, senior sales and marketing manager at WMR, said:

“Susan’s proposal to our Charitable Giving Panel clearly laid out the benefits cultural experiences across the UK can have on people in care. Unfortunately, there are often barriers for care-experienced people to access these kinds of trips. By taking away the cost of travel, members of the Foundation will be able to enjoy the best of our network with days out in London, Liverpool and across the West Midlands.”

Susan Vickers, founder of the Susan Vickers Foundation, said:

“For so many, travel has always been out of reach — and with it, the chance to explore culture, arts, and experiences that help shape confidence and identity. This partnership opens doors that were previously closed, and I’m incredibly grateful for WMR’s belief in what this could mean for our community. I’d love to see more local attractions join us in creating opportunities that help care-experienced people feel seen, valued, and included in the world around them.”

Image: West Midlands Railway