Free bus travel training helps Denbighshire pupils prepare for life after school

Working Denbighshire’s wellbeing service, Project Barod, is working in partnership with Arriva Buses Wales to deliver free bus travel training for Year 11 pupils across Denbighshire, helping young people build confidence and independence as they prepare to move on to college, training, or employment.

The programme forms part of Working Denbighshire’s wider support for young people, helping them develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to take their next steps.

The initiative supports pupils who have been referred for wellbeing and resilience support by their schools. It brings together young people from multiple Denbighshire high schools to take part in practical, confidence‑building sessions focused on using public transport safely and independently. 

The programme with Project Barod’s Early Intervention scheme aims to reduce travel‑related anxiety and remove barriers that young people may face when transitioning out of school. Being able to travel independently is a key step towards accessing further education, training and work opportunities. Through this approach, Working Denbighshire is helping to address both practical and emotional barriers to progression, supporting young people to move forward with greater confidence.

Arriva Buses Wales is delivering the sessions free of charge as part of its social value commitments, demonstrating its commitment to supporting young people and communities across Denbighshire.

Each session includes a short, group‑based classroom workshop delivered in the community. Young people learn what to expect when travelling by bus, how to plan a journey, read timetables, understand routes and buy tickets. The sessions also cover bus safety, appropriate behaviour, what to do if something goes wrong, and where to get help if they feel unsure.

Arriva staff also support participants to set up the Welsh Government bus travel app, which provides access to bus travel across Wales for £1.

Participants then take part in an on‑bus familiarisation activity, giving them the chance to board a bus, meet and speak with the driver, and become comfortable with the layout and environment before travelling independently.

This collaboration helps ensure that practical travel skills are delivered alongside emotional and wellbeing support, giving young people the confidence they need to take their next steps.

Jen Dutton, Wellbeing and Resilience Lead at Working Denbighshire, said:

“For many young people, the move from school to their next step can feel overwhelming, especially if everyday things like travelling independently cause anxiety. At Barod — which means ‘ready’ — our focus is on helping young people feel emotionally ready for that transition. Working alongside Arriva allows us to combine wellbeing support with practical skills, giving young people the confidence they need to move forward.”

Neil Atherton, social values coordinator at Arriva Buses Wales, added:

“Getting on a bus might seem like a small thing, but for some young people it can feel like a massive step. These sessions are all about breaking that down, showing them what to expect and giving them the confidence to give it a go. Once they’ve done it in a supported way, you can really see the difference. Those young people go from feeling overwhelmed and lost to realising they can do it and seeing how that opens up so many more opportunities for them. At Arriva, we’re not just here to get people from A to B. We want young people to feel confident using the bus for life, whether that’s getting to college, work or seeing friends. The more people choose the bus, the better it is for our communities and for the environment, so helping younger people build that confidence really matters.”

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation emphasised:

“This partnership shows the value of joined‑up working across Denbighshire. Through Working Denbighshire and Arriva, we’re supporting young people to build confidence, independence and the skills they need to move forward.”

For more information about the programme, or to arrange a referral, please contact the Working Denbighshire team at 01745 331438 or workingdenbighshire@denbighshire.gov.uk. Details of upcoming sessions and booking information are also available via Eventbrite.

Working Denbighshire is part‑funded by the UK Government and multiple programmes, including the Welsh Government’s Communities for Work Plus, the UK–Wales Trailblazer initiative, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), and Connect to Work.