DLR Community Assist Programme

The DLR Community Assist Programme is designed to make travel across the network safer, more inclusive, and more supportive for everyone. Whether you're a regular commuter, a first-time traveller, or part of a local organisation, the programme offers real, practical benefits:

Accessibility support: We help passengers with visible and non-visible disabilities travel with confidence through tailored assistance and station engagement.

Support for Families and Schools: From school visits to back-to-school safety campaigns, we help young people and families feel safe and informed when using the DLR.

Confidence in travel: Our team runs workshops and one-on-one support to help people overcome travel anxiety and build independence.

Community Engagement: We work with local charities, grassroots groups, and residents to ensure the DLR reflects the needs of the communities it serves.

The programme is open to applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. Interested in learning more? Please email us at: ambassadors@keolisameydlr.co.uk

Powerhouse DLR Trips

The Powerhouse DLR Trips project supported 25 women with learning disabilities in navigating public transport confidently through guided DLR trips. As part of the £1,000 grant funding, women learnt how to:

• Navigate different DLR routes with the help of a Community Ambassador.
• Strengthen friendship and community ties.
• Secure job opportunities, with one attendant obtaining a paid assistant role near the end of the project.

Thanks to the help of the Community Ambassadors, an assisted trip to Greenwich, which involved three DLR route changes, was a significant confidence booster for the participants.

ESOL for Work- English for Action

One standout project funded through the Community Grant Fund delivered English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to support migrant residents across the DLR network. With a grant of £8,336, the project helped 49 participants build language skills, digital confidence, and independence in using public transport.

Key features of the project:

English language classes tailored to everyday communication

IT skills training using Microsoft Office and Google Apps

Employability workshops, including CV writing and job search support

Childcare support to ensure accessibility for parents

Seven group trips using the DLR to build travel confidence and promote social integration

Impact:

19 participants successfully passed formal English exams, significantly improving their employability

Participants reported increased digital literacy and confidence in using online tools

The programme fostered community connections and improved public transport confidence, with many reporting greater independence when using the DLR

“The ESOL class was a safe space where I found friends. My confidence and self-esteem have grown, and I can now read, understand, and speak with more ease.”
— Svitlana, 55, from Ukraine

A Hospital Partnership that Saved Lives

In July 2024, the Community team, along with the Health, Safety, Quality, and Environment (HSQE), Security, and Service Delivery teams, joined forces with Cygnet Hospital in Beckton to address a pressing concern: the increasing number of people attempting suicide at Beckton station.

This initiative started with a detailed review of KAD’s Incident Reporting Forms (IRFs), which uncovered a concerning trend in the number of suicide attempts at Beckton. Recognising the seriousness of the issue, these concerns were quickly shared with the Community and Stakeholder Manager, who then contacted Cygnet Hospital, a specialised facility focused on supporting women with complex mental health needs, to determine if they could benefit from our assistance.

Through this project, the Community team gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by the hospital, especially regarding the emotional and physical needs of the women in their care.

Although they couldn’t directly engage with the distressed patients, the Community and Stakeholder Manager proposed a solution: a customised training designed to help hospital staff identify and respond to those at risk, particularly if they had fled from the premises. The training included a tour of the Control Center, a demonstration of the tools available at the station, various interactive activities, and classroom-based learning.

This comprehensive approach equipped Cygnet caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to potential suicide attempts at DLR stations effectively.

As a result of the training, the number of suicide attempts at Beckton station has significantly decreased, dropping from 10 incidents in an eight-week period to zero. Since the training was delivered, there have been no further incidents reported.

The Primary Engineer Programme

The launch of the Primary Engineer Programme in May 2025 represented a new and forward-thinking approach to engaging primary and secondary school children in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Through our partnership with the Primary Engineer, a UK-based educational, not-for-profit organisation, we helped deliver the Primary Engineer Rail Programme. This hands-on initiative encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity about how the world works.

Over the next two years, our colleagues will partner with 20 primary schools across the DLR network- bringing engineering to life for students through engaging, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world industry.

In less than three months, we have already onboarded 10 volunteers, including Community Ambassadors and Engineers, and completed the induction process and DBS checks. We have also reached out to 61 local schools and secured commitments from the targeted 10 for activities scheduled in September 2025. Additionally, we have created a waiting list for next year’s engagement.

If you are interested in this programme and would like to learn more, please email: ambassadors@keolisameydlr.co.uk

Spreading KAD Community Christmas Magic

In December 2024, the Community team partnered with 21 charities to bring joy and sparkle to communities along the DLR network, spreading Christmas magic through a series of heartwarming collaborations.

Christmas can be a lonely time for many, and our team was committed to ensuring that no one felt isolated during the festive season. By living out KAD’s core value of Caring, the team took intentional steps to promote connection and community. This initiative not only brought warmth and support to those who needed it most but also closely aligned with our strategic objectives of inclusivity, well-being, and service. We also proudly donated £1,000 to each of our Charities of the Year- Neighbours in Poplar and Community Links- helping to brighten the holidays for those they support.

Our Community Ambassadors worked tirelessly to identify groups with whom they had existing relationships that could benefit from a touch of KAD Christmas magic. The approach involved providing funding, planning support, and a personal presence at events.

If you’d like to learn more or explore how to get involved, please email us at: ambassadors@keolisameydlr.co.uk