The Bentham Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) aims to promote and develop the route from Leeds across the scenic Pennines to Lancaster and Morecambe. A relatively new CRP, it is a ground-breaker in its ambition for the route to become the first-ever 'Dementia-Friendly' railway.
The project aims to raise awareness of this hidden disability with rail staff, volunteers and passengers, support rail journeys for those living with dementia, and their careers and family, and create dementia-friendly station environments.
Bentham CRP benefits from annual core 'seed' funding for community rail through the CrossCountry franchise, which has been used to support the production of leaflets and posters to advertise the development of the project.
During 2018, the CRP held a number of special dementia training days for rail staff and partners. It has also worked closely with Dementia Friendly Keighley and taken dementia sufferers and their family members and carers on trips by train, which as well as providing a pleasant day out, is also helping to shape the development of the project.
