Home to over 9 million people, Greater London is the largest export centre for county lines drug dealing in England. Our work in London and the surrounding areas centres around supporting young people at risk of exploitation and harm on the transport network.
Railway Children’s Community Engagement team attended Reading Festival 2026 to support young people and raise awareness of the our work. In a festival first, our safety messages were displayed on the main screens in front of more than 105,000 attendees. The team also ran a stand in the Arena Air Hub, speaking to thousands of young people about staying safe, travelling home responsibly, and accessing support when needed. Delivered in partnership with GWR, the initiative helped young people make safer journeys home while ensuring they knew where to turn if they needed help.
Raising awareness of how we can all be part of safeguarding young people on the rail network, particularly during school holiday season.
Working alongside Heathrow Express, our team recently took part in a community engagement event to raise awareness of safeguarding and youth vulnerability on the railway.
Speaking directly with members of the public, we shared information on how to spot the signs that a young person may be at risk and how small actions can make a big difference.
We partnered with SWR and Southampton Service for a community engagement event at Waterloo Station.
By speaking directly with passengers about safeguarding and youth vulnerability on the rail network, we helped raise awareness of the role everyone can play in creating safer journeys for young people.
Our team recently delivered a safeguarding workshop at St Peter’s primary school in London, helping pupils learn more about personal safety, wellbeing and how to access support when they need it.
Lucinda has worked in the youth sector for over 20 years and, as Regional Manager for both the Yorkshire and the London and South East teams, oversees the safe and effective delivery of our young person's service across these areas. Lucinda is committed to delivering a high quality, child-centred service that creates lasting positive outcomes for young people.
Nev has always worked with and supported young people and has been with Railway Children since the UK programme began. He enjoys the variety that working with young people brings and is passionate about helping young people discover their strengths and develop their skills.
Joe spent three years working in primary schools, mainly working with children with special educational needs, before moving to Railway Children. Through his five years working in the youth sector, he has developed a passion for tackling inequality and creating sustainable change.
Railway Children will feature in a special BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal this September, shining a light on the challenges faced by street children in Tanzania and the life-changing support available through our work.
Railway Children marked 30 years of supporting vulnerable children with a special parliamentary reception at the House of Commons.
As the only UK voices on the Children and Young People’s Global Taskforce for Care Reform, Railway Children Youth Ambassadors Corey and Elliot brought their lived experience to parliament!
Subira is a family project worker for Railway Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Here is an exploration of her work and the impact that it has as she supports street-connected children and reunites families.
Learn about safeguarding and how it relates to child protection on transport networks.
No child wants to survive on the streets. And, through understanding and empowerment, together, we can ensure no child has to.
