Avanti West Coast employee honoured for work to promote social inclusion
Avanti West Coast employee recognised at The Breaking Down Barriers Awards 2025 for work to promote opportunity, diversity and social inclusion.
• Social Value and Accessibility Manager, Dr Theresa Robberts, honoured at The Breaking Down Barriers Awards 2025
• Theresa awarded special recognition for work to promote social inclusion
• Avanti West Coast wins award for efforts to connect people to opportunities
An Avanti West Coast employee has been honoured at The Breaking Down Barriers Awards 2025 for her work to promote opportunity, diversity and social inclusion.
Dr Theresa Robberts, Social Value and Accessibility Manager at Avanti West Coast, received a special recognition award during the ceremony held at the House of Commons.
Organised by The Purpose Coalition – a collective of organisations dedicated to promoting social mobility and equal opportunity – The Breaking Down Barriers Awards honour individuals or organisations that have made remarkable contributions to breaking down barriers and boosting social mobility across the UK.
Theresa launched Avanti West Coast’s Social Value Report in December 2024 and works with industry partners to focus on removing barriers within communities along the West Coast, as well as make cleaner, more sustainable rail travel a reality. She will play an integral role in supporting the intercity operator’s work towards creating £1 billion in social value by 2031.
Reflecting on her achievement, Theresa said: “I feel exceptionally proud. It means a lot to work with a great team and be a part of Avanti West Coast because we believe in connecting people to opportunities. That means breaking down barriers that may stop us from doing so.
“I have personal experience of what it’s like to have independence given back to you – it results in confidence, which has life-changing effects.
“We’re working hard to ensure accessibility is part of conversations when it comes to breaking down barriers. We need to make sure journeys are fully accessible, as we want people to be confident to use rail to access opportunities,” added Theresa.
Avanti West Coast also won The Breaking Down Barriers Award’s Infrastructure for Opportunity category. This recognises organisations that have improved infrastructure that connects people to opportunities – contributing to reducing geographical inequalities and enhancing social mobility for underrepresented communities.
It was recognised for its commitment to enable independent travel for all. The train operator ensured its new Evero trains – launched this year - had improved wheelchair spaces, better accessible toilets, and braille and large print labels on seats. It also partnered with software developer, GoodMaps, on an accessible wayfinding tool that enables visually impaired people to navigate stations independently.
Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Theresa’s achievement and her efforts to help drive positive change to that more people can benefit from the opportunities rail offers. Investing in our communities and our services can make a positive difference to the people and places we serve. Most importantly, it can make a lasting impact to peoples’ lives.
“The railway plays a vital role in connecting people to opportunities and at Avanti West Coast we want it to be accessible to everyone. We’re delighted our efforts to engage underrepresented groups, as well as improve facilities for those who may need additional support have been recognised.”
ENDS
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Main image (Left to Right): Avanti West Coast Social Value and Accessibility Manager, Dr Theresa Robberts (Centre) accepts Breaking Down Barriers Award, alongside Rt Hon Justine Greening (Chair of the Purpose Coalition), Kaz (Theresa's guide dog), Nick Forbes CBE (Purpose Coalition engagement director), and Cleo Lindo (Avanti West Coast Internal Communications Executive)
About The Purpose Coalition
The Purpose Coalition is made up of organisations that are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and boost social mobility.
We believe all organisations should and can do more to break down those barriers to opportunity in the UK.
Our cross-party work helps businesses and organisations to do more, share best practice, and develop new solutions for improving the role they can play for their customers, colleagues and local communities. We work with organisations to put in place purpose-driven strategies and impactful initiatives that boost social mobility and spread opportunity.
The Purpose Coalition includes some of Britain’s biggest organisations, including UK Power Networks, bp, Sodexo UK&I, Travelodge, the BBC, Centrica, The Wise Group, Barclays, Merlin Entertainments, Leonardo UK and E.ON.
www.purpose-coalition.org/
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333