Storybook opens new chapter for accessible bus travel

Sunday 18 November 2018

A new children’s storybook has been crafted to help children and young people with disabilities travel independently around the island on public transport.

A joint effort by LibertyBus and Jersey Mencap, the book stars an adventurous cow called Liberty who is on a voyage around Jersey with her cousin Daisy who has autism.

Inspired by her colleagues in Guernsey’s bus company CT Plus who made a similar book starring a puffin, Marketing and Communications Manager Lisa Walker wrote the story of Liberty and Daisy to put a Jersey spin on the idea.

Commenting on bringing the story format to Jersey as part of the LibertyBus travel training programme, Lisa said: “The story shows how bus travel can be used to explore Jersey and is a great starting point for teaching children how to use the bus.”

The storybook, entitled ‘The Amazing Journey: Liberty Explores Jersey by Bus’, has also been illustrated by Jersey Mencap’s ‘Taking Part Making Art’ group, which runs art sessions for adults with learning disabilities, and their tutor Catherine Seal.

Pictured: The front cover image for the storybook entitled 'The Amazing Journey', illustrated by Jersey Mencap's art group and their tutor. (Liberty Bus/Jersey Mencap)

The group took their sketchbooks on the road and created drawings at all the different attractions that Liberty stops off at on her journey.

Explaining the purpose of the LibertyBus travel training programme, HR and Community Manager Nikki Withe said: “The aim of the programme is that young people and adults can plan their journey, build confidence in using the buses and gain greater independence and enjoyment of the island… it’s fantastic to see the life changing benefits that independent travel can bring to these young people.” 

The storybooks will be on next week from Liberation Station, Autism Jersey, Beresford Street Kitchen and Acorn for £3 each. All proceeds will go to charities Autism Jersey and Jersey Mencap.