Bridge the Gap, based on St Mary’s Gate in Derby, has received the grant from East Midlands Railway’s Community Fund to launch a new programme aimed at building confidence and independence among young travellers.
The programme, called On Track Together: Building Confidence in Travel, will support up to 20 children and their families who experience anxiety or fear around trains and rail travel.
For some young people, busy stations, loud noises, unfamiliar surroundings and the prospect of boarding a train can make travelling an overwhelming experience.
Bridge the Gap hopes to change that through a combination of travel confidence workshops, one-to-one support, webinars for parents and carers, visits to railway stations and short practice journeys.
Building confidence step by step
Nikki Webster, clinical director at Bridge the Gap, said the programme would give children practical strategies they can use in real-world situations.
“For many young people train travel can feel very overwhelming,” she said.
“Loud noises, busy platforms, and unfamiliar routine can increase travel-related anxiety, but we want to increase confidence using East Midlands Railway for everyday journeys.
“Participants will develop practical coping strategies to help them manage their fears and increase independence.”
The charity will also provide individual support for children who find it difficult to communicate or regulate their emotions in busy environments.
Nikki added: “As part of our work, we will plan trips to the train station and thanks to EMR, we will be accompanying our young people on short practice trips.
“At the end of the programme, we want to see a more confident, independent traveller who is able to access opportunities without anxiety limiting their movement or participation.”
Supporting Derby's children
Bridge the Gap is an award-winning not-for-profit Community Interest Company which has supported thousands of children and parents since launching in 2017.
The organisation specialises in emotional literacy and early intervention, offering support groups, one-to-one sessions, professional training and webinars for parents.
It has also received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and works with schools across Derby and Nottingham.
Founder and director Jennifer Wyman said the organisation's guiding belief is that every child should be able to feel hope.
“We run support groups, one-to-one sessions, deliver specialist training and run parent webinars to try and break down complex and sensitive topics in a relaxed, engaging and accessible way,” she said.
“We are specialists and experts in emotional literacy, anxiety, self-harm and work with children to build authentic emotional resilience and give them the tools to protect their mental health through life’s challenges.”
Jennifer, who has worked with children and families for more than 20 years, has also recently been shortlisted as a finalist in the Charity Champion category of the Best Businesswomen Awards 2026.
She added: “Early intervention needs to be available to every young person who needs it in Derby.
“Emotional health must be a priority for our children and that is why we are delighted to receive this funding from East Midlands Railway.
“As a city, we need to help our children and support them as they understand and navigate their emotions before reaching crisis point.
“This money is so valuable to us, and I know it will bring positive change to the lives of many young people and their families. The children we work with will feel hope – and that’s all we want.”
Breaking down barriers to rail travel
East Midlands Railway, which has its headquarters in Derby, said the project reflected the aims of its Community Fund by helping to make rail travel more accessible.
Kaye Robinson, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway, said: “Our services are vital in connecting people to education, widening their employment opportunities and leisure.
“Indeed, connecting communities is at the heart of what we do, but we recognise that train travel can cause real anxiety for some.
“We are delighted to support Bridge the Gap through our Community Fund to help break down those barriers, reduce social isolation and build the confidence young people need to travel with us.”
The EMR Community Fund supports non-profit organisations within 15 kilometres of an East Midlands Railway-managed station, funding grassroots projects designed to improve wellbeing, inclusion and opportunities within local communities.
Image: Bridge the Gap volunteer Katie Bentley with clinical director Nikki Webster.