UK Rail 2026
Bringing Escape Rooms, youth voices and safeguarding action to the first ever UK Rail conference.
Date: 21/5/2026
Bringing Escape Rooms, youth voices and safeguarding action to UK Rail 2026
Railway Children’s safeguarding messaging reached around 3,000 rail professionals through the first ever UK Rail conference.
Author: Lucy Carman | Date: 18th March 2026
The power of partnership
UK Rail is a brand-new flagship two-day exhibition and conference for the rail industry, bringing together all those who work in and around UK rail to connect, share ideas and showcase innovation.
For its inaugural year, around 3,000 members of the UK rail community attended – including rail operators, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, innovators and – for the first time this year – representatives and young people from Railway Children.
As the event’s official charity partner, Railway Children played a key role in delivering messaging around safeguarding on rail.
CEO, Rob Capener delivered a powerful keynote speech to delegates, telling the story of Jason* who, at rock bottom, had travelled to a train station intending to end his life.
Thankfully, a member of staff at the station had recently attended Railway Children’s Safeguarding Champions Training. They could see something was wrong and, crucially, knew how to help Jason.
Jason was referred, by British Transport Police, to Railway Children and, following intensive, one-to-one support, is today safe, happy and employed as a train despatcher – enabling him to look out for young people who are vulnerable, just as he once was.
Rob’s speech was followed by practical workshops and seminars led by Railway Children staff.
And two of Railway Children’s youth ambassadors shared their lived experience of vulnerability on rail – helping bring a strong personal perspective to conference delegates.
“Events like this really show the power of partnership by bringing the sector together to connect, share ideas and drive meaningful change towards a shared goal,” said Rob.
“Having our Youth Ambassadors there made a real difference, bringing young people’s voices into the conversation and helping rail professionals better understand their experiences.”
Safeguarding in action
Throughout the event, Railway Children worked alongside rail partners highlight the role the industry can play in protecting young people.
Conference activity included:
- An immersive safeguarding escape room, in which participants raced against the clock to identify risks facing young people on the rail network and take effective safeguarding action.
- Sharing the voices and experiences of young people, to help rail professionals better understand the experiences and risks faced by vulnerable people on and around the railway and, crucially, the part operators, stations and frontline staff can play in keeping people safe.
- Demonstrating strategic partnership, by showcasing how Railway Children can offer tailor-made, strategic opportunities to help rail companies deliver meaningful safeguarding change across the network.
Alongside the formal presentations and workshops, hundreds of delegates took the time to visit the Railway Children stand to discover more about the work of the charity and explore the part they can play in keeping young people safe.
Partnership making a difference
UK Rail 2026 demonstrated what is possible when the rail industry comes together with a shared commitment to safeguarding.
A huge thank you to Terrapinn for organising the conference, and to everyone who took the time to stop by the Railway Children stand and find out more about our work.
Together, we are ensuring vulnerable children and young people across UK rail are seen, safe and supported.
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