Planning a journey

It is important to plan a safe route. This might not be the shortest but needs to be the safest. Think about timetables, school/college start finish times and the length of the activity.

• Find safe footpaths with street lights and safe places to cross roads. Use Google maps street view to help.

• Use timetables via websites or apps. 

• Think about the walking times and start/finish times of the activity.

• Water

• Coat/umbrella/sun hat

• Bus pass

• Mobile

• Journey assistance cards if required

• Medication if required

• Use Suffolkonboard.com to plan the full route, using timetables, maps etc.

• Try the route yourself to identify hazards, landmarks, and travel time. Look for safe streets, crossings and bus stops.

• Practice the route to build confidence and skills. Use other situations as practice, like asking for help in a shop.

• Follow the young person on the route, then let them travel independently, either by sitting elsewhere or following in a vehicle.

• Let your young person try the route and meet them at the end.

• Think about the time of year and if it will be dark when completing the route. This along with different weather conditions can impact the journey. Maybe try refresher sessions in the different seasons.

• Check bus stop timings and walking routes, as everybody walks at different speeds. Test strategies for situations like missing a stop or staying on a circular route until it returns to the bus station.

• Young people learn at different rates. Keep practicing the journey until they gain confidence.

• Encourage the young person to prepare for the next day, including checking the weather, the night before.

Other useful resources:

Take the lead interactive game – Think.gov.uk

Film: First Journeys

Download the Planning a journey poster (PDF 1.1MB)