Young voices leading the way
Through our flagship youth participation programme, Youth Platform, young people are shaping our training materials, influencing key decisions and ensuring the rail industry truly understand youth vulnerability.
Our recent Rail Leaders Networking Breakfast was a huge success, sparking vital conversations about the future of the UK rail industry and fostering connections among key players.
Date: 2cd July 2025 | Author: Con Enzler
We recently had the pleasure of hosting the first Rail Leaders Networking Breakfast in collaboration with Ashurst at their London offices.
We were honoured to welcome Alex Hynes, Director General of Rail Services at the Department for Transport (DfT), as our keynote speaker. He provided insightful reflections on rail reform and shared his vision for the future of Great British Railways. His insights sparked many thoughtful conversations among the attendees as they reflected on the sector’s direction.
We were honoured to welcome Alex Hynes, Director General of Rail Services at the Department for Transport (DfT), as our keynote speaker. He provided insightful reflections on rail reform and shared his vision for the future of Great British Railways. His insights sparked many thoughtful conversations among the attendees as they reflected on the sector’s direction.
Our own Rob Capener (CEO) and Rina Dabhi (UK Programme Director) spoke about how our UK Programme is working to embed strong safeguarding practices across the rail network. They highlighted why this work is more important now than ever, contributing to both the safety of vulnerable people and the overall reduction of incidents on the network. Ahead of upcoming government plans to reform the railway, we want to ensure that safeguarding remains a priority and is written into new legislation and guidance.
Beyond the presentations, the breakfast offered a valuable opportunity for attendees to network, connect, and engage in topical discussions over a delicious breakfast.
It was clear that everyone present shared a commitment to shaping a more efficient, safer, and forward-looking railway system in the UK.
“It was a real joy hosting this event with Ashurst, and wonderful for everyone to have the opportunity to learn new insights and engage with so many key players in the industry.
There was lots of great discussion and for me, it was really positive being able to have those conversations about why we need to be prioritising the safeguarding of vulnerable young people on the network.
There was definitely a sense in the room that this was the first of many meetings like this, and we’re excited to get going planning the next one!”
Rina Dabhi, Railway Children UK Programme Director
If you’re interested in attending, please register your interest by contacting us at: hello@railwaychildren.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!
Through our flagship youth participation programme, Youth Platform, young people are shaping our training materials, influencing key decisions and ensuring the rail industry truly understand youth vulnerability.
More than 25 million Tanzanians are living in extreme poverty, leaving many young women and girls vulnerable to hunger, family breakdown, and abuse.
Since launching in 2018, Railway Children’s Night at the Station has raised more than £880,000 to reach and protect some of the world’s most vulnerable children. This year, the charity is aiming to surpass the £1m mark – and is calling on the rail community and individual supporters to help reach the target.
As the UK marks Neurodiversity Week (16th – 20th March), we reflect on the unique strengths different minds bring to Railway Children, the rich potential of the neurodivergent young people we support and why we’ve established a Neurodiversity Working Group to ensure every kind of mind can thrive.
In India, Railway Children is reaching some of the most vulnerable young people through a powerful and proven approach: peer leadership.
Read our guide to claiming your compensation and learn how to easily donate it to vulnerable children.