Community Rail & Social Inclusion

An exploration of community rail’s contribution to social inclusion and how this can be developed Sponsored by the:

Written and researched by Naomi Halloran Edited by Jools Townsend

2018 Contents

PAGE Acknowledgements and terminology ...... 1

Foreword from Rail Delivery Group and ACoRP ...... 2

Introduction and current context ...... 3

Exploration, analysis and ideas:

1. Accessible journeys for all ...... 4

2. Connecting people to opportunities and services ...... 9

3. Stations as spaces for social growth and enterprise ...... 15

4. Community rail volunteering ...... 18

5. Engaging communities in art and heritage ...... 22

Summary of recommendations ...... 26

Cover: Students and partners unveiling their 'Love Thy Neighbour' mural at Smethwick Rolfe Street Station. Community Rail & Social Inclusion

Acknowledgements Many thanks to long-standing ACoRP partners Rail Delivery Group for their sponsorship of this report and ongoing support of community rail. Credit must also be given to the many ACoRP members and partners that contributed to this report, directly and indirectly. Particular thanks to those who helped with case studies and expert insights. We are also grateful to Dr Miriam Ricci and Professor Paul Salveson for their input and guidance.

Notes on terminology

Community rail Community rail is a grassroots movement, comprising partnerships and groups working at regional and local level to connect communities with their railways (see below for more detail). This report focuses on community rail in Britain, where the movement originated and is largest, but may carry relevance elsewhere.

Social inclusion Social inclusion is best understood as the opposite of social exclusion. People can feel excluded from society or parts of society due to multiple and connected social and economic circumstances. This can include unemployment, financial hardship, age, ill health and disability (physical and mental), substance abuse, discrimination, poor education or skills attainment, relationship and family breakdown, poor housing or being a victim or offender of crime. People can also be socially excluded if they face obstacles that prevent access to goods and services or their participation in social and community life that others do not face. 1 The Charity Commission defines activities and projects that promote social inclusion as those that help socially excluded people and communities overcome inequality and disadvantage and that promote equality and diversity. 2

Equality Equality is ensuring individuals and groups are not treated diﬀerently or less favorably, on the basis of their speciﬁc protected characteristics, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society based on these characteristics. 3

Diversity Diversity refers to people representing a broad spectrum of demographic, social, ethnic, economic, religious and cultural backgrounds within and across communities. Respecting diversity means being open to and celebrating diﬀerences between people so that everyone can be recognised and actively participate within society. 1

Social cohesion Social cohesion is a term commonly used when referring to the bonds or relationships that bring people together within and across diverse communities. The OECD further defines it as when society “works towards the well-being of all its members, fights exclusion and marginalisation, creates a sense of belonging, promotes trust, and offers its members the opportunity of upward social mobility”. 4

Accessiblity Accessibility refers to, in the context of this report, practices and procedures that enable everyone – including those facing social exclusion – to be able to access and benefit from mobility, and specifically the sustainable, active and sociable mobility that railways help to afford. The Department for Transport defines accessibility as whether “…people can get to key services at a reasonable cost, in reasonable time and with reasonable ease”. 5

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d r o w e r o F Community Rail & Social Inclusion Introduction and current context

Community rail is a growing, inﬂuential grassroots movement spanning Britain. It is made up of nearly 60 (and counting) community rail partnerships, which work along whole railway lines, counties or regions, plus hundreds (probably 1,300+) of station friends/adoption groups and other small, local groups. These partnerships and groups are brought together under the umbrella of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP), the organisation behind this report. The broad aims of community rail are to connect communities with their railways, and ensure people get the most from them and have a voice in their development. This work, in its many guises, bears great relevance to social inclusion, which this report explores, giving many examples of current work and suggestions of how this can be developed further.

Community rail activities vary greatly between localities, and rightly so as they are driven by local contexts, needs and opportunities. However, the concept of bringing people together, promoting social cohesion and inclusion, and delivering maximum beneﬁt for local communities is a common thread, even if its delivery takes many forms. From ACoRP’s work supporting, championing and advising our members within community rail, it is possible to identify ﬁve main ways that community rail is working in this arena, each over-lapping: 1. Accessible journeys for all 2. Connecting people to opportunities and services 3. Stations as spaces for social growth and enterprise 4. Community rail volunteering 5. Engaging communities in art and heritage

As is set out below, work in each of these areas appears to offer great value to communities and the railways themselves, and there is without doubt scope to develop this further. The social and economic value being delivered is difficult to quantify, but the case study examples, and discussion of academic research and expert views, in this report should help to evidence the difference being made to individuals’ lives and whole communities. It is pertinent to note that, at the time of writing, a project is underway led by RSSB (sponsored by Network Rail and supported by ACoRP, the Department for Transport, train operating companies and suppliers), to assess the social value of the railways, which should also help those working in community rail and partner organisations to better assess and understand the impact being delivered through such work. This should aid further development of this important area of community rail activity, especially better supporting community rail partnerships and groups to prioritise and focus their efforts in an intelligent, evidence-led way, and achieve sustainable funding for such work.

The importance of addressing and enhancing social inclusion through and in connection with our railways – and further developing this work – is being acknowledged by government and the rail industry. At the time of writing, the Department for Transport is consulting on a renewed strategy for developing and supporting community rail over the coming decade. This consultation includes as one of its four themes ‘Supporting communities, diversity and inclusion’, 6 showing strong government appreciation of the scope for community rail to have an ongoing, and increasingly profound, effect in this arena. The Rail Delivery Group, the umbrella body for rail industry companies, also recognises the importance of community rail’s contribution to social inclusion, through its sponsorship of this report, and its set of industry priorities, or ‘customer touchpoints’, which clearly align with much of the work examined in this report. Its ‘Britain Runs on Rail’ report also identifies the need for closer partnership working across the industry to improve the accessibility of rail and the role of this in promoting social inclusion. The report commits to making improvements to infrastructure, transforming stations into community hubs, promoting local decision making, and increasing the accessibility and affordability of rail travel so more people can connect to opportunities. 7

In addition to government and industry support and interest, it is important to note the huge amount of enthusiasm and determination among those working in community rail, on a paid and voluntary basis, for further developing this area. ACoRP’s latest members’ survey, and discussions at its seminars, clearly show that improving rail accessibility, engaging more diverse groups (notably young people) and related social inclusion issues, are major priorities across the movement. This, combined with industry and government support, and the inspiration and lessons to be gleaned from the catalogue of examples in this report, means there is great opportunity to advance this area of work to the beneﬁt of communities across Britain (and beyond).

While the opportunity to continue and grow community rail’s impact on social inclusion is clear, there are of course challenges to overcome. These often relate to limited capacity and resourcing within community rail, and sometimes the inherent diﬃculties, frustrations and bureaucracy that can arise in negotiating across multiple partners, and bringing together community interests with the complex and technical rail industry. This report touches upon some of these challenges, but emphasises the progress that has already been made, and suggests in the ‘recommendations and ideas’ on p27-28 how these can be further overcome through collaboration, mutual respect, and genuine partnership working, involving community rail, industry, but also (crucially in this area) wider public and third sector partners. ACoRP is pleased to be working proactively with its members and partners to take these suggestions forward, and ensure that community rail can play the fullest possible role in bringing about a truly inclusive society.

3 Part one: Accessible journeys for all

Community rail gives people a voice in the development of rail, empowering communities and helping to ensure that this development is in line with local needs and aspirations.

Supporting the railway to be more accessible, and • Coming up with new ideas, such as the ‘Harrington supporting communities to access rail, is a critical part of Hump’, which has made access from platforms onto trains community rail’s role. Much community rail work is geared at small stations affordable. at helping people to feel able and confident to use our There are a great many examples of community rail and railways, particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable industry working together positively in this area, resulting groups who may otherwise feel excluded. This opens up in many improvements to stations around the country, access to opportunities, as explored further in chapter two, ranging from improved signage, to better lighting, to including for marginalised people, promoting inclusion, accessible toilets. However, there are also challenges, fairness and equality, and reducing social isolation. The particularly to do with bureaucracy and sometimes slow fact that community rail partnerships and groups combine progress taking forward community rail ideas and being community-based, personable and local, with proposals. ACoRP is working with its members, rail expertise in local transport, means that they are well- industry partners and government to seek to break down placed to play a pivotal role in enabling accessible such hurdles. Especially if these are overcome, there seems journeys for all. to be scope for community rail to play a heightened role in highlighting ideas and opportunities, and working Crucially, community rail also gives people a voice in the alongside industry and the community to facilitate and development of rail, empowering communities and raise awareness of improvements. There is also an helping to ensure that this development is in line with opportunity for community rail to continue to develop local needs and aspirations. In this way, it acts as a vital links with charities and support providers to advance this partner for industry and government, in opening up and field, such as to replicate the Bentham Line’s dementia promoting our railways, and for communities, in friendly stations project elsewhere. developing mobility and equity. b) Railway confidence schemes a) Accessible stations Alongside working with the rail industry to encourage Community rail works proactively with industry on physical improvements to aid rail accessibility, most achieving more accessible railway stations in a number community rail partnerships and groups work to develop of ways, including by: skills, understanding and confidence in rail use too. This is critical because transport barriers for disadvantaged • Advising train operators, Network Rail or relevant groups comprise a range of social, cultural and authorities of accessibility problems, and suggesting how psychological factors as well as physical ones. 9 these might be overcome. For example, at Driffield, the station adoption group highlighted that the large, difficult- This work often takes the form of talks, workshops and to-negotiate overbridge caused problems for anyone with visits, sometimes arranged on an ad-hoc basis with local limited mobility, families, cyclists, and people with baggage, with hopes that this may be addressed soon;

• Managing, spearheading and seeking funding for improvements to aid accessibility, in partnership with the rail industry. For example, the Bentham Line worked with Northern to achieve wider gates and doorways, ramps and signage at Bentham Station, aiding access to trains and station facilities, and has worked to achieve ‘dementia friendly’ status for the line’s stations (see below); 8

• Running workshops and visits at stations for groups facing accessibility barriers or who have particular support needs, to build conﬁdence, familiarity and on Community Rail Enjoying a train ride understanding. This is picked up further ogramme ailway Conﬁdence Pr below; Lancashire's R

4 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

Opening the dementia-friendly railway on the Bentham Line

schools, organisations and support groups, but often as part of an organised programme targeting local groups C A with particular needs and vulnerabilities. This work S

Becoming a dementia E engages groups that may otherwise face diﬃculty or lack friendly railway S T conﬁdence accessing rail, including children, young U D people, elderly people, groups with physical or learning The Leeds, Lancaster and Morecambe Y Community Rail Partnership (Bentham Line) has the aim of becoming a dementia friendly C

A railway. This includes involving individuals living

Railway conﬁdence S

E with dementia in auditing the stations so they

T are accessible, and training station staﬀ and Community Rail Lancashire’s Railway Conﬁdence U D

Programme has engaged more than 150 young Y volunteers so that they can respond to people with additional and learning needs and passengers in a supportive way. The community disabilities with the railway. Through activities rail partnership is also developing heritage and that build confidence and understanding, the countryside walks from the train that are easily project enables these young people to travel navigable and help to bring back memories, as using rail in a safe and comfortable way, giving well as outreach days and cake sales to raise them lifelong skills and a significant range of funds for the work and communicate its positive experiences. It also opens up importance. To achieve this, the partnership has opportunities to access education, leisure, brought in a range of partners, including train employment and healthcare. This promotes operators, community groups, tourism diversity and inclusion on local and national lines, authorities, and Alzheimer’s Society and and gives young people skills and opportunities Alzheimer’s Research UK. Facilitated by ACoRP, for life, through rail travel. they are also now working with The Challenge to See: www.downtheline.org.uk/projects/the- involve teenagers, aiming to make the project railway-confidence-programme/ cross-generational.

5 C A S

‘Orange Wallet’ conﬁdent traveller scheme E

S T

The ‘Orange Wallet’ is a collaborative project funded by U D

the Welsh Government as part of the ‘All Wales ASD Y strategy’. It aims to help anyone with a hidden disability, especially those on the Autistic Spectrum, cope more easily with public transport. It is based on schemes already running in Devon and Pembrokeshire.

The wallet is a communication tool, which can be used by people who may find it difficult to communicate their needs to staff when using public transport. It contains space for the user to insert written and/or visual prompts to show conductors, station staff or ticket offices. These prompts can be printed off from transport providers’ websites. Staff are trained to recognise the wallet and how to patiently provide appropriate assistance.

Since its introduction, the wallet has become useful for many groups with hidden disabilities and conﬁdence problems, including those with sight and auditory impairments and elderly people. It has been adopted by other public transport providers, including local buses, helping to ensure end-to-end journeys are accessible with consistent support. The scheme has been heavily promoted and engaged with by Wales and Borders community rail partnerships.

Recently, Arriva Trains Wales appointed a ‘Confident Traveller Ambassador’ with Asperger’s who is a talented photographer. Robert promotes the scheme and has his photos exhibited at Llandudno station. Robert’s dad says: “His confidence has really developed in recent years… He loves taking photos and it’s been great for him to work on this project. As part of the ambassador role he’s now going into colleges to talk to others who may suffer from confidence issues, teaching them coping strategies for travelling on the railway.”

disabilities, people with mental health problems or other C conditions. Some community rail groups are also working ‘Try the Train’ trips in Sussex A S to support asylum seekers and refugees. For example, The E

Heart of Wales Line has hosted refugee visits from T

Supported and funded by rail operator U

Swansea, with weekend breaks for refugee families in rural D

Southern, Sussex Community Rail Y towns and villages. 10 Partnership has run a series of ‘Try the Train’ trips for individuals with varying levels of In some cases, these community rail confidence-building initiatives tie in with work to make physical improvements learning difficulties, who might not have the to stations, as with the Bentham Line case study above, confidence to travel independently by train. and schemes by the rail industry to support certain groups This involved a funded and escorted train to use rail more easily, such as the Orange Wallet scheme journey between Redhill Station and London, described below. In other cases, the work responds to and included the chance to practise how to needs and requests identified and made by rail industry buy a ticket, find the right platform, get on partners or other organisations. the correct train and off at the correct station, use the ticket barrier machine, who to ask if Much of this type of work is geared towards developing you get confused, and where to find services understanding of the practicalities of travelling by rail, such as toilets and waiting rooms – all in a such as to do with journey planning, ticketing, interchange supportive environment. The groups also had and safety. By improving the ease and confidence with the chance to meet Southern’s accessibility which people can travel by rail, this increases access to manager to talk through any concerns, and employment, education, training and recreation feed back on any barriers they experienced opportunities (discussed further below). Often, or envisaged. With increased confidence to information to help people develop an understanding of travel by train, opportunities for recreation the benefits of rail as a part of sustainable and healthy and employment outside their immediate travel is being woven into such programmes, possibly local areas became more accessible. 13 providing additional benefits for these groups. This may have profound implications for individuals’ and 6 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

communities’ prosperity, health and wellbeing by helping not being able to get to the places they want or need to to build long-term access to and understanding of healthy be’. 16 This is very much the same for community rail and sustainable mobility. officers and volunteers. It is important therefore to share knowledge to create an accurate picture of community The potential of community rail groups and organisations transport needs and challenges facing vulnerable people to contribute to supporting asylum seekers and refugees is when it comes to travel. These groups can help those one that deserves further exploration, particularly to help currently excluded from rail to have a voice, in a way not ensure a warm welcome at an arrival station. The railway that rail passenger surveys may not detect, and this may station is often the first experience of an asylum seeker or be particularly powerful when multiple groups work refugee arriving into a town or city, and the welcome they together. Community transport and community rail receive may have a great bearing on their feelings about groups can also collaborate to make longer distance the host community. Much like the ‘City of Sanctuary’ journeys an option, enabling access to services that are movement, which seeks to build a culture of hospitality for not available in local vicinity and outside the scope of refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution, 11 localised community transport. This links to the points stations could become sanctuaries, such as through below about integrated end-to-end journeys, which positive images, signage in a range of languages and staff community rail and community transport could work trained to help refugees. 12 together to address. c) Working with community transport d) Affordable travel Community transport services are working towards The accessibility of rail travel to as many people as similar social aims as community rail. possible depends not only on people’s ability to There is much scope for the two to work together, physically access the railways, and confidence and skills providing a life-line to local services, and connections to in planning and making journeys, but also affordability. rail. Many community rail partnerships have it as a key The affordability of transport and travel is central to organisational mission to work with community transport achieving fairer communities through more equal access services to promote equal access to the stations on their to opportunities, especially relating to employment, line and in some cases are linked strategically through education and training (as discussed below). Research by hosting local councils and authorities. 14 Working to help the RAC Foundation shows that low-income households address the quality, availability and affordability of often spend 10% or more of their income on mobility, 17 transport options for people who don’t have access to a while not being able to access affordable transport car or conventional bus services, community transport options holds back people in poor areas, including by aims to deliver community benefit on a not-for profit basis. restricting access to employment (explored further Examples include dial-a-ride, voluntary car schemes, below). 18 The charity Sustrans argues that the increasingly community buses and wheels to work, increasingly high costs of running a car (a particular issue for younger plugging a gap where commercial or subsidised bus age groups) and absence of practical, affordable services have been withdrawn. alternatives for many, means millions of people must choose between debt and social exclusion. 19 There are clear advantages of community rail and community transport services working together to Most community rail partnerships carry out work to promote integrated, inclusive journeys and increase promote more affordable access to rail by increasing mobility for those who are often most at risk of being understanding of ticketing, as per the examples above, isolated from services and opportunities near and further and promoting and encouraging use of the existing range afield. As suggested in the Community Transport of rail cards, passes and advance tickets that bring the Association report on Demand Responsive Transport, 15 costs of travel down. In a few cases, community rail community transport aids the ‘first mile and last mile’ organisations work with train operators to directly approach to journeys, making getting to and from the develop, manage and promote discounted travel schemes. station easier for those with additional needs. With many Examples include the Settle-Carlisle Railway’s Dales community transport services operating on a ‘demand Railcard, offering discounts on the line for local residents, 20 responsive’ basis, users may have increased confidence and Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership’s carnet ticket that they will be able to make their train. This supports scheme on the Tarka Line, providing more affordable travel vulnerable individuals who may have more concerns for for families and part-time workers. In other cases, specific their safety and less confidence travelling generally and train operators run schemes to provide more affordable reduces the cost of using taxis. It therefore makes sense for options to people that may otherwise struggle with the railway confidence and outreach programs to collaborate costs of travel, such as jobseekers attending interviews with community transport organisations where possible to (see below on access to employment). However, there is examine how the whole journey comes together. perhaps scope for community rail and industry to work together to develop and promote such schemes more Secondly, community transport operators, often widely. This might help to address perceptions of rail as volunteers living locally, have ‘privileged insights into the being prohibitively expensive, and enable our railways to world of people whose lives and choices are diminished by play a greater role in achieving a more equitable society.

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i e s r s f n p e o h h u n o o t o t e a h o o a a n e o t s d d S a r e W k w h T i c o C s C t a w r o b t p i l t s r I p i s l s p T g o D F a M u Community Rail & Social Inclusion Part two: Connecting people to opportunities and services

How connected people feel to opportunities and services can have a big impact on mental wellbeing. This is particularly so for older people, mental health suﬀerers, individuals with a disability and those living in poverty or disaﬀected from society.

For many – who do not have a sense of connectedness - there broader social activities can enhance their confidence, is greater risk of loneliness and social isolation. 26 Many people broaden their spatial horizons, increase academic attainment need but are currently disconnected in some way from public and promote self-efficacy. A report by the Social Mobility transport, for example those who do not have the means, Commission found that not being involved in such activities is ability or desire to own and drive a car, those living in remote potentially detrimental to young people and associated with rural areas, or those in isolated housing estates or areas where reduced social wellbeing, lower perceived ability and positive it is no longer possible to run profitable bus services. 27 behaviour. It also argued that individuals from lower social Children and young people are also at risk of exclusion where class groups are more likely to experience barriers to they are reliant on public transport as their only means of participation, and problems with transport accessibility can getting around. further prohibit these opportunities. 28

The provision of affordable, efficient and accessible railway Many community rail partnerships and groups work along services is an important enabler of social inclusion therefore, railway lines that connect cities and towns to rural areas, by allowing people to access life opportunities such as providing vital links for people to access recreational recreation, education and employment. The way in which opportunities that are found in these different localities. They people access opportunities, including the extent to which are working in a growing range of ways to ensure that travel is sustainable and active, is also important to inclusion. everyone feels able and confident to use these links, and to promote the benefits of using the train to access such a) Access to recreation opportunities. Public transport can open up choices for leisure and recreation and play an important role in empowering Promoting walking from and around stations is a key way people to reach accessible and affordable activities. community rail partnerships and groups can encourage Access to recreational activity is an important factor in creating healthy and sustainable leisure travel. Many promote self- healthy and cohesive communities and promoting a good guided or volunteer-led ‘rail to trail’ walks from stations. quality of life. It is a vehicle through which people have fun, Walking has shown to have beneficial health outcomes, connect with and integrate with others, develop new skills including reducing the risk of and treating conditions such as and competencies, and gain control over their wellbeing. obesity and cancer, and promoting positive mental health and treating anxiety and depression. 29 It can also help the elderly For children and young people, access to recreational pursuits stay active and improve cognitive function, and help those and extra-curricular activities such as visits, sport, clubs and recovering from addiction or coping with bereavement.

Lancashire Rail Ramblers setting oﬀ on their walk from Hebden Bridge Station. (Photo credit: Lancashire Rail Ramblers)

9 Community Rail in the City C A S E

Community Rail in the City is a ﬂagship annual S T

community rail event that promotes sustainable travel U D

for recreation. Coordinated nationally by ACoRP, it Y involves community rail partnerships promoting their activities and promoting visitor attractions along their lines in a number of mainline railway stations. Through displays and activities showcasing national parks, visitor attractions and Britain’s hidden gems, combined with volunteers and staﬀ advising on timetables, fares and accessibility, it is an important form of railway outreach. It helps to open up recreational rail travel by showcasing healthy, sustainable, cultural and enjoyable days out and longer trips for people living or working in major cities. See www.communityrail.org.uk

Accessible routes from stations into green spaces can A walking app for the C A additionally open up opportunities for visitors with physical Penistone Line S E and hidden disabilities, while organised walking programmes S T provide people with a routine, structured activity for exercise On the Penistone Line, funding is being sought by the U D and social interaction, aiding rehabilitation and recovery. community rail partnership to develop nearby walks into Y an app ‘iFootpath’, allowing users to access maps and Some, like the Penistone Line Partnership, offer an organised route guides on a portable digital device offline and programme of free walks led by volunteers and are timed to track their progress using GPS. This encourages new coincide with connecting train services from nearby towns. audiences, especially young people who are digitally Many, like Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership literate but often less likely to access green space, to and the Poacher Line, offer free leaflets and downloads to consider accessing walks by train. It is an innovative way allow people to do walks at times that suit them. 31 They vary of using new technology to engage with audiences that from short and accessible (often 2-3 miles, from station to may not be comfortable using paper maps and have the station), to longer, more challenging routes. The Heart of Wales confidence to explore independently. 33 Line Development Company is working with local authorities, Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail to develop a 150-mile trail along the line, connecting attractions, villages and towns with the railway. The trail, which will be completed this year,

Dementia friendly walks C

will bring both economic beneﬁts to Mid Wales by bringing in A

32 S visitors, whilst oﬀering healthy alternatives to the car. on the Bentham Line E

S T

Often providing insights on the locality, its heritage and As well as working towards dementia friendly stations, U D landscape, such walks allow people to explore new locations, the Bentham Line is helping to ensure that walks from Y be exposed to local history and nature, help people to feel station are accessible for people living with dementia. connected to their communities and others along the lines, Departing from Morecambe, Bentham, the Forest of and provide healthy, low-cost recreation. Bowland (in an area of outstanding natural beauty) and Saltaire (part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the self- There is a growing range of examples of existing or new walks led walks aim to prompt longer-term memories and near community railway lines and stations being used or offer a supportive and positive excursion. They also designed by the NHS and support groups for people with provide access to nature, which is increasingly shown to health conditions. Many local groups that form part of the improve the emotional and physical health of patients, national ‘Walking for Health’ initiative by Macmillan and including improved awareness and attention, self- esteem, independence and sense of control. 35 The Ramblers are organising accessible walks from stations for Community Rail Partnership have developed leaflets that individuals with health conditions travelling by train from are simple, easy to read, and largely image based. The nearby urban centres. Although open to everyone, the walks partnership is also working with Northern to ensure are particularly aimed at those who are less active and signage is clear and accessible on marked footpaths 34 participants are often referred by their doctor. This sort of from the stations. activity is also starting to be picked up within the community rail field, as per the Bentham Line example opposite. 10 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

b) Access to employment

Railways provide an important lifeline for accessing C

‘Train to Work’ work experience A employment and related training opportunities. Research S E

has shown that transport problems and inequality can S

East Midlands Trains’ Train into Work scheme gives T pose a significant barrier to people finding, accepting and U 36 long-term unemployed people, young people not D sustaining employment. Y in employment, education or training, and ex- Further, evidence suggests that many jobseekers are reluctant to travel beyond their local area to access service personnel an opportunity to gain work employment due to a lack of trust in public transport, poor experience across its teams. It helps to open up understanding of where they can get to, and a sense of opportunities for those who have been unfamiliarity with places outside their immediate locality. 37 marginalised from employment, while respecting Community rail helps to address this through confidence- and using skills gained through previous building educational work as discussed in part one, and by experience, contributing to a more inclusive and building positive connections and familiarity with the diverse workforce. The work experience includes railway, such as through communications and events. In customer service skills, learning about the railway some cases, community rail provides tools and information and health and safety, and support with to reduce the complexity of rail travel for less familiar. The considering career aspirations, CV writing and Marston Vale Line, for example, works to provide clear interview skills. 90% of participants expressed signage to the station and simplified fare and timetable information. 38 interest in pursuing further education or employment, and possibly a career in rail, as a Affordability of transport can also be a particular issue for result. One participant commented: “I’ve picked up unemployed jobseekers, or those transitioning into or many new skills as part of the Train into Work between education and work, or between jobs. With programme that I wouldn’t have been able to increasing numbers of young people entering the labour otherwise…It’s given me that boost in confidence I market earlier through apprenticeship schemes with a low needed and the drive to find employment.” starting wage, the cost of transport can be huge, particularly when having to travel at peak times with no discount available. 39 Hence the contribution of community rail to promoting and enabling more affordable rail travel, as discussed in part one, is especially relevant to opening up wider access to employment.

To help combat some of these issues, several train operators run ‘Train to Work’ schemes that provide free rail travel tickets to job-seekers and or run programmes of activities to help long-term unemployed gain experience in industry and grow their confidence. Greater Anglia, for example, provides up to six day-return tickets to attend job interviews within its network, and on securing work, individuals can apply for an initial two-month season ticket free of charge to helps with commuting costs while they establish themselves in their new job and put their finances on a firm footing. 40 Others, like the case study opposite, provide work experience to develop skills and confidence among unemployed people. There may be scope for community rail deliver community projects over a 12-month period, aiming to play a greater role in promoting these activities and increase involvement of community groups at stations in hosting work experience placements, to provide a their remit. 41 Another example is Tyne Valley Community community-facing element in industry programmes, Rail Partnership (TVCRP) and CrossCountry forming a although partnerships may need support and guidance unique partnership with Newcastle College’s Rail Academy. hosting meaningful and manageable placements. To gain community-based practical experience outside the classroom, apprentices work with TVCRP on community rail Community rail is also helping to support the creation of projects funded by CrossCountry. This encourages students more diverse roles in the rail industry and helping the next to apply their skills in a community setting, and instil an generation of railway workers to develop skills and early awareness of community stakeholders in rail. 42 understanding of community engagement, contributing towards a more inclusive railway. Community Rail Finally, community rail is helping to open up wider Lancashire (CRL) works with Northern to deliver 20% of their employment opportunities for local communities through apprenticeship scheme content. Apprentices in operational offering learning and skills development opportunities. and service delivery roles spend a week with the CRL to Often this is through social enterprise and small business introduce them to community rail and their projects, such development at stations, and volunteering activities, so is as dementia-friendly stations and work with mental health discussed in more detail in parts three and four organisations. The apprentices then plan, manage and respectively.

11 c) Access to education For young people, especially in rural communities, who Access to rail travel can positively contribute to social policy cannot or do not want to drive, or (as is increasingly aims in higher education, particularly by widening access for common 43 ) cannot afford to run a car, access to education, under-represented groups who may have less experience and employment and training can be very difficult. 44 confidence of travelling outside their local area and for whom Since 2015, young people aged 16-18 are legally required to driving is prohibitively expensive. Rail travel may be the best be in some form of education or training, but aren’t entitled to option, but can be a daunting prospect for a student lacking school transport. This has created demand for more affordable the skills, support and role models. transport options for this age bracket. 45 Research has shown that an individual’s level of confidence Increasingly, community rail partnerships groups are and ability to use public transport can affect access to higher collaborating with train operators, local authorities and education, the achievement of students in achieving in higher educational institutions to find ways to help more young education and ultimately their employability. 49 Community people use rail to access education. However, there appears to rail partnerships and groups can and often do play an be opportunity to roll out this work more widely. In some enabling role here, working with university and colleges places, special passes have been created for students outreach teams, and local organisations working to widen accessing an education along the line, entitling them to a participation, to build confidence and skills in accessing rail discount. For example, Severnside Community Rail travel, and consequently enabling more informed choices Partnership has worked with Great Western Railway and the about education, training and employment. British Transport Police to create a special combined ID card and discounted ticket for a local school in a particularly d) Sustainable and healthy access to deprived neighbourhood, making journeys safer and more opportunities affordable. 46 In other cases, community rail partnerships help As shown above, community rail is making a considerable to promote regional travel passes that give young people contribution to supporting access to leisure, employment, discounts across a region’s transport. training and education by rail. However, it is important to highlight the particular value to social inclusion of community rail promoting and enabling access via sustainable, healthy, more sociable, means of travel.

Rail travel oﬀers a more sustainable, healthier and more sociable alternative to driving, in the sense of: producing far lower emissions per person per mile, compared to single occupancy petrol or diesel car use; 50 not contributing to traﬃc congestion, noise and fumes that greatly harm communities; 51 C

Bikeability on the Poacher Line A S E

On the Poacher Line, the community rail T Making rail travel to school safer and U partnership worked on a project with a local D

Y re affordable on the Severn Beach Line mo school academy and government-recognised cycling training ‘Bikeability’ to promote active, bi- modal travel, tying in with ‘Bike Week’. The In Derbyshire, the ‘b-line’ card entitles 11-19 year olds living in programme included training on how to be the region 25% off full adult fares on local buses and trains, comfortable, confident which can be used even at peak periods when commuting to and safe in the saddle school and college. The card can also be used on some journeys to nearby towns and cities providing the trip starts or and helped each finishes in Derbyshire. This makes access to education student to create a institutions outside of the area more accessible and personal travel plan of promoting more educational choice for those who do not routes to school, how to have the means to travel longer distances. 47 ride into and secure a bike at the station, and Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership work with several primary how to interpret schools near the Looe and Tamar Valley lines to encourage information screens. This innovative children to act as green travel ambassadors and encourage collaboration promoted a healthy, low-cost, their families to travel by train through a combination of sociable and often-quicker way to get to school. creative travel mascots, competitions and free rail taster trips. 48 More students have since taken up commuting by Community rail is also promoting healthier, more sustainable end-to-end journeys from home to rail and from rail to school, public transport regularly. through initiatives such as walking buses and cycling training, See www.kentcrp.org/schools. as per the case study opposite.

12 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

and there being increased opportunity for social interaction and healthy exercise than if driving alone from home to Active Access for Growth C 52 A destination. This is beneﬁcial to social inclusion in many in East Sussex S E

ways, related to improved health, wellbeing and sociability of S T communities, but also the fact that socially disadvantaged In East Sussex, Sussex Community Rail Partnership U D people are more likely to suffer from the pollution and harm is part of a regional, sustainable travel change Y that traffic causes. 53 It also contributes to inter-generational programme called ‘Active Access for Growth’, equity, by helping to mitigate climate change and leave a funded by the Department for Transport. It aims to healthier environment for future generations, 54 and offering a grow and integrate cycling and walking initiatives travel option to many young people who may be priced out of across the region to provide longer term behaviour driving. 55 change towards active and sustainable modes of travel. It has an emphasis on boosting the local While community rail contributes already to these aims simply economy and improving health by widening by promoting access to rail travel, it can heighten its impact access to employment, education and training and (and already is in many cases) by specifically supporting and promoting healthy lifestyles and community encouraging sustainable, active modes of travel to and from development. stations. Most rail journeys begin long before arriving at the See: station and finish well after leaving, so individuals’ end-to-end www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/local journeys must be considered if rail travel is to be accessible to transportplan/funding/active-access-for-growth/ everyone. As Rail Delivery Group’s ‘customer touchpoints’ state, passengers need to be able to understand the connections and routes available to them through other modes of transport both before arriving at the station and getting to Mobility and social agency E X their final destination. This is especially important to help P E people who are socially excluded, marginalised or “Research I conducted with disadvantaged young R T

disadvantaged. One of the key barriers for disabled people I

people in Bristol found that physical mobility is key N accessing public transport, for example, is a lack of consistency S

in helping individuals to acquire social agency. By I G and integration between diﬀerent transport providers being mobile, alone or with friends and family, and H 56 T involved on their journeys. through diﬀerent means of transport - both active S

and motorised - young people can develop the Many community rail partnerships and groups are therefore skills and conﬁdence to explore the city beyond working to help improve connectivity between rail and other their comfort zone. modes, with a growing focus on alternatives to driving. For Exposure to and positive experiences of using an example, many community rail groups work to provide better alternative means of transport other than the walking and cycling facilities and infrastructure at and around motor car from a young age may contribute to stations, such as applying for funding for bicycle racks and developing an open-minded outlook towards all lockers, or overseeing projects to improve paths connecting transport modes, which in turn may help prevent stations to homes and town centres. Working with local locking young people into unsustainable travel cycling and walking groups, and bringing them together with patterns, in particular solo driving.” train operators, they often provide and share information about cycling and walking routes to and from stations and Dr Miriam Ricci, Centre for Transport & Society, embed bi-modal transport awareness into their outreach and University of the West of England conﬁdence initiatives. Northern’s Cycle-rail Forum is an example of how community rail can promote cycle use. With a membership of over 100 organisations including community rail partnerships, local authorities, cycling organisations, Cycling inclusion in Glasgow C A

Passenger Focus, Rail Delivery Group, and local tourism S E

bodies. It is a vehicle for sharing good practice, exchanging Bike4Good, a cycling charity, runs a ﬂagship S

57 T views and engaging in dialogue with Northern. programme in the Govanhill area of Glasgow, which U D

has high levels of social deprivation. To help break Y Community rail groups and organisations often work closely down the barriers of accessing the city’s bike-share with sustainable travel organisations to encourage connected facilities, it offered a lower annual membership fee journeys and active travel. In Glasgow, a cycling resource of £3 for people in deprived postcodes or accessing centre has adopted Pollokshaws West Station and hosts the it via community partners, compared to the normal South West Community Rail Partnership. The cycling centre fee of £60. It also offered a free phone number, cash provides free bike repairs to children, low-cost bike hires and payments instead of card, waivered damage sales, commuter confidence building programmes and secure payments and ran cycling confidence sessions. The park and ride facilities in a convenient location for those who programme significantly improved participants’ do not currently have access to such equipment and services. physical health and fitness, grew their cycling With many shared aims, the community rail partnership plays confidence and helped them to develop friends in a key role in promoting these activities and promoting healthy the community. It also improved access to services, and connected journeys. 58 work/training and study and made it easier to access health services. 60

13 On the Medway Valley Line, the community rail oﬃcer is hosted by sustainable travel charity Sustrans, and runs a C

Enabling a day out by train A programme of activities with young people at key transitional S E

points (entering secondary school and college) to encourage S

Days Out by Train was designed and delivered by T use of sustainable transport and multi-modal transport. On U

the Centre for Transport & Society, University of D the Poacher Line, the community rail partnership is working West England, working with the Severnside Y with ‘Bikeability’ to offer a skills-based programme tailored to Community Rail Partnership and funded by Great the local community. All of this work is promoting long-term Western Rail through their Customer and sustainable travel choices and behaviour, which can help to Communities Improvement Fund. Launched in widen travel horizons, provide important skills, and increase 2015, it aims to support and facilitate access to people’s ability to be independent, flexible, resilient and rail for disadvantaged and low-income responsive to opportunities on a long-term, possibly life-long, communities. basis. Eligible organisations supporting socially and Bike sharing schemes at stations can promote more inclusive economically disadvantaged communities in the access to active travel. Railway station bike schemes are area could apply for the free group tickets to growing in popularity across the UK and a study has shown organise a day out to a variety of destinations. that in 2016, 40% of people using such schemes did so in The objective was to provide not only a boost to conjunction with using a train. This extends public transport participants’ well-being, but for families and beyond the station in a way that is more flexible than other individuals to develop confidence using the modes such as bus, which can be more expensive and serve railways, and to open-up new engagement limited corridors. 59 Community rail partnerships and groups opportunities for organisations working with disadvantaged groups. could play a greater role in helping to identify opportunities to introduce more of these schemes, based on their local Over 2,000 people took expertise, and advantage of the initiative, working with including refugees, asylum partners to seekers, people with mental communicate the and physical disabilities and benefits and families on the breadline. The develop confidence scheme had a diverse user and understanding profile, with 48% of in how to use it. participants from non-white British backgrounds and other In these ways and nationalities, and only 18% in more, through employment. collaborative working with Partner organisations transport providers, identified socially authorities and other disadvantaged groups that would benefit from the local partners, Two participants on the community rail is scheme, and organised the ‘Days out by Train’ project succeeding in trip for their chosen group. widening access to a This model allowed the scheme to be tailored to multitude of compliment the needs of different groups and opportunities to people who may otherwise be marginalised, service users. The scheme was a significant isolated or excluded, enabling them to be independent and enabling factor in helping organisations working participate in society. with the more disadvantaged in our society to deliver their mission, especially given the decline But while the community rail movement is already successful in social care resources. Having their transport in enabling and promoting sustainable and healthy end-to- costs covered allowed these organisations to end journeys, there seems scope to significantly develop this deliver greater and enhanced activities, area of work. Supporting community rail to develop skills, promoting mobility, that would not have been knowledge and capacity in this area, and working with possible through their existing resources. government and industry to look at breaking down common regulatory and bureaucratic barriers, is therefore a priority for A staff member from a local organisation ACoRP. More detailed recommendations are on p27-28. supporting refugees commented: “We only have a small budget so without free train travel, a trip of this nature would not have been affordable. Our organisation runs a weekly drop-in welcome centre for asylum seekers and refugees, in particular from Sudan, Iran, Eritrea, Syria, Somali, and Afghanistan. Trips like this provide a vital break and respite for people seeking sanctuary.’ 61

14 Community Rail & Social Inclusion Part three: Stations as spaces for social growth and enterprise

Many train stations across Britain are being transformed and rejuvenated into stations that greatly beneﬁt not only passengers, but also the wider communities around them.

These projects are usually driven by community rail partnerships or small local community groups, with support from the rail industry, with a vision of getting more from our railways, bringing stations back into the heart of communities, and making a difference to local people. Their efforts are turning many stations into thriving community hubs, with space and facilities for arts, education, enterprise, volunteering, healthy living and social interaction. As well as direct benefit for those taking part (considered further in parts four and five), this generates pride and interest in the railway from the community, enhances stations, and provides a warm welcome to the area. In many cases, these community stations also support social enterprise and small business development, developing business and skills, increasing access to employment, and delivering a raft of social inclusion benefits. a) Different uses for ‘community stations’ The examples in the report therefore show how stations can An array of ‘community stations’ innovations and successes act as highly beneficial hubs that promote social inclusion, are examined in ACoRP’s 2017 report with Rail Delivery attentive to local needs and opportunities, and taking Group, available at http://bit.ly/2qHGM4o 62 advantage of stations’ unique offering as public (and often It provides an overview of inspirational work by station friends historic) space that can and should be central to community and other community groups, community rail partnerships, life, and which probably played a key role in role heritage. and their commercial, public and third sector partners, to Through community stations initiatives, community rail return station buildings and land to community use. It shows ensures that stations reflect the needs of whole communities the opportunities available in such work, and provides in their design and use. It also helps to return often disused, examples, advice and recommendations to community under-used and run-down property, which may otherwise groups and the rail industry. not have a viable commercial use, back into use as a community asset. This may be just as important in large city The report examines three broad and overlapping categories stations as it is in smaller ones. For example, in Bolton, a new of community stations projects: the ‘incredible edible’ station, community development partnership has been set up to involving cafes, catering and food growing; the creative manage community use of redundant space on this large station, involving art, museums and literature; and the station station. as a marketplace or cluster, involving multiple, mutually- supportive uses, often including enterprise and business spaces, and spaces for community groups to meet and work. Under each of these categories numerous examples and their impact on passengers and communities are considered. The report concludes that the benefits of such projects are considerable and wide-ranging, to do with:

• Economic development and regeneration – such as through social enterprises, support for local businesses and community groups, skills development through volunteering E

Developing the railway’s social impact X

and work experience, in some cases geared at groups that P E may otherwise be disadvantaged, and contributing to wider R T

“Network Rail’s strategy to improve the social

regeneration (explored in more detail below); I N

performance of the railway focuses on two key areas: S I ‘Caring for Communities’ and ‘Improving the Passenger G • Better quality stations for passengers – including more H T welcoming, useful, and sometimes safe and accessible, station Experience’. We are keen to work with partners across S

environments, such as through services like shops, cafes and the industry to better understand the full range of ways cycling facilities, points of interest and learning like notices the railway beneﬁts society and contributes to social and displays, greater human presence, and often renovation inclusion, and to ensure that rail investment and physical improvements; programmes deliver maximum social value for the communities they serve. Our project with RSSB, ACoRP • Stations brought back into the heart of communities – and other stakeholders will allow us to not only stations become more central to and useful for the evaluate the social value generated from individual community, oﬀering facilities for individuals and community community projects, but use social value as a groups, providing a source of pride and enjoyment, and contributing factor to support investment decisions at becoming positive gateways and hubs for the area, in turn planning stages.” building a more positive relationship between community and railway. Sarah Borien, sustainability strategy manager, Network Rail

15 C

Skills for life at Severn Dee Travel A S E

Severn Dee Travel is a not-for-proﬁt organisation run T U

by volunteers and the community rail partnership. At D Y Gobowen Station it provides ticketing and a station café that offers work experience opportunities to students with special educational needs from Derwen College. Working in a safe and supportive As the report makes clear, there are challenges in delivering environment, students undertake a high-quality work (and maintaining) such projects, such as bringing in experience placement where they learn basic appropriate funding and support, maintaining momentum catering and customer service skills. This directly links through what can be a long process, and sometimes needing to their vocational studies and supports their longer- to make the case that community projects will deliver greater term career aspirations by providing an authentic value than holding out hope for a ‘commercial let’ that may opportunity to develop work-related skills. The not materialise. However, the report shows how these project directly contributed to Derwen College challenges can be overcome to deliver great benefit to receiving an ‘outstanding’ for the opportunities it communities, and ACoRP works to support and advise such provides for personal development, behaviour and projects, and engage industry and government, with this aim. welfare to its students. The Ofsted report stated: “[The The hope is that this will inspire and support more groups and station café] provides students with the opportunity organisations to develop community stations, to the benefit of to develop excellent social, vocational and wider our railways, heritage, and economy, but moreover to spur the employability skills while working in the heart of the type of community-led, sustainable development that makes community. They learn to work as a team and 69 a huge difference to people’s lives. communicate with customers.”

16 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

b) Social enterprise Not all social enterprises benefitting from space at stations As noted above, many community stations are providing are directly related to using the railways. In Carmarthenshire, space and impetus for social enterprises to start up and Black Mountain Food, a Community Interest Company develop. operating as a cooperative, use a new station building at The UK Government describes social enterprises as: “a Llandeilo to sell and distribute locally grown, organic food to business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are remote communities. 70 Like many other social enterprises on principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the railways, it supports small scale local suppliers, which in turn community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise support inclusive economic growth. 71 The Heart of Wales Line profit for shareholders and owners.” 63 Social enterprises impact Development Company initiated the contact and was on social inclusion because they respond to the needs of their instrumental in encouraging the social enterprise to use the communities and tackle disadvantage through their operation new building – an example of how community rail groups and outputs. Research by Social Enterprise UK shows that and organisation are often the ‘bridge’ between wider social enterprises: are often located in communities community groups and social enterprises, and the railways. experiencing social deprivation; promote job creation and diversity; create innovation in community services and Many community rail partnerships and groups work to products; and support the public sector. 64 encourage, support and advise others on setting up and running social enterprises in station buildings, liaising and Railway stations are ideal places for social enterprises to thrive. collaborating with rail industry stakeholders to gain the They have guaranteed footfall, good transport links, are appropriate permissions and infrastructure to operate usually centrally located in towns, villages or suburbs, and successfully and safely. Without their help, many social often have space on platforms and buildings that would enterprises may not consider station buildings as a potential otherwise go unused. By enabling social enterprises to take up venue. For example, Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership such space, ideally for a peppercorn rent, major benefits can has recently supported a local charity in winning a lease from be accrued both for the railway and social inclusion. It helps to Northern Rail to operate a platform kiosk that employs adults create dynamic spaces where people can come together and with additional needs. 72 feel connected to their community, as described above, and creates economic opportunities. This is especially important as more villages are losing their shops and post offices and other key services, social enterprises in stations can be a lifeline. 65

There is much evidence of social enterprise initiatives across community rail, large and small, helping excluded individuals to actively participate in a socially-valuable activity and feel part of their communities. 66 Many social enterprises in stations help those who are at risk of exclusion from the labour market return to work, and (re)integrate with society generally. Station cafés like Severn Dee Travel Café at Gobowen Station

(see left page) and Strawberry Line Café at Yatton Station, oﬀer C Paying it forward at Newark Station A S

opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to gain E important life skills and catering skills. 67 Severn Dee also S Station buildings at Newark Station have been T U operates an independent rail agency where anyone can book transformed into a community café with D Y tickets and get journey advice, wholly funded by the funding from East Midlands Trains, Network Rail commission from ticket sales. This can help people who may and The Railway Heritage Trust. Volunteers from struggle to use online ticketing and journey planning systems the National Citizenship Service helped to due to disability or lack of computer skills or access. It offers a complete the café. Run on a voluntary basis personalised service to the passenger at no extra cost, which is and linked to the charity FareShare, it provides valuable for those who may require additional assistance or meals for £3 made using surplus supermarket 68 lack confidence. As mentioned in part one, there are also produce that would otherwise be wasted. It examples of sustainable and active travel enterprises on promotes social eating and encourages people stations, which additionally support social inclusion through to engage with each other in a warm, friendly providing access to affordable, healthy transport. environment, where they can enjoy conversation over a low-cost, tasty meal. It offers weekly meals to homeless people and operates a “Pay it Forward” scheme where anyone, including businesses, can contribute a small amount toward a meal for someone who cannot afford it. 73

17 Part four: Community rail volunteering

Volunteers are the life-blood of community rail, carrying out, coordinating and supporting much of the work.

They make up an estimated 1,000 station adoption/friends groups 74 around Britain, and also support community rail partnerships (which tend to have a small number of paid staﬀ too) via their local station groups, or directly by assisting activities or acting as board members. Transport Regeneration’s 2015 study estimated there are 3,200 community rail volunteers giving 250,000 hours per year nationally, 74 but we now know this to be a major under-estimate, as we and train operators develop a better understanding of the extent of station adoption. For example, Northern believes there to be 3,200 volunteers across its network alone and 70% of stations adopted. 75

Volunteers’ activities are diverse, but most commonly include maintaining station gardens, planters and noticeboards alongside basic station upkeep such as litter-picking and reporting bigger problems. They also include hosting school visits, running community events, guiding walks, conducting passenger surveys, and helping vulnerable people to use the railways with confidence. This volunteering has been estimated to have an annual value to the rail industry of £3.4m (again, likely to be a gross under-estimate). 77 It also makes a major contribution to social inclusion, through Volunteers from Mytholmroyd impacting on the health, Station Partnership wellbeing and social interaction of the volunteers themselves, but also benefitting others through the results of the actions. There are also Community action days are increasingly some indications that volunteering in popular across the community rail movement connection with the railway may be particularly and a good way of promoting community valuable, because of the visibility of the actions cohesion, which is essential in creating vibrant and additional contact it brings with the wider and healthy communities. 80 These events community. However, although the existing usually involve a large-scale and rapid contribution to social inclusion of these transformation of a station or surrounding area, activities is without doubt considerable, there drawing in members of the community, local are challenges to better assessing this, and businesses and often railway industry scope to develop it further. stakeholders to volunteer their help. This not only builds awareness of community rail and the a) Value to community and industry railway, but also brings diverse groups together Volunteering brings people into contact with one another in with a shared purpose, while generating a real sense of a positive and meaningful way and allows those from achievement and civic pride. As research has shown, the different backgrounds to interact. participation of communities in these kind of activities In this way, it provides a network of social relationships that demonstrates the power of collective voice and action, help people to feel connected to their communities. 78 Station empowering communities to recognise existing skills, adoption and friends groups provide a place where people knowledge and expertise. 81 Volunteering can also grow a feel valued and safe, and where people perceive themselves to community’s sense of resilience to difficult physical, economic be included, feel part of the community and feel they have a and social circumstances. In Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, for degree of influence over things that matter. Through example, the station has become a focal point for celebrating voluntary activities at stations, stations not only more and commemorating the way in which the community came attractive and secure, but a sense of community ownership together to help and recover from flooding. Research has develops too, and a sense that the station and railway is an shown that resilient communities are more able to draw on asset for everyone. Furthermore, as volunteers develop their resources to cope with change and shock, as well as to stronger links to their locality, they become more likely to plan interventions that can reduce the potential for or impact participate in other local activities, driving up active citizenship of future negative events. 82 and social interaction further. 79

18 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

Rail Journey to Recovery C A S E

Community Rail Cumbria has built a partnership with the S T

charity Turning Point to help people recovering from U D

substance and alcohol abuse to build conﬁdence and social Y interaction while contributing to community rail volunteering projects. Their work includes basic station maintenance and upkeep, such as gardening and painting fences. By volunteering on stations, the service users are in close contact with members of the public and feel part of society rather than isolated from it. A video produced for the project shows the impact this is having on individual participants: See www.vimeo.com/239789281.

There is certainly more to be done to widen the demographic base of voluntary community rail groups. However, C

London Road Station’s rejuvenation A community rail is continuing to diversify, and there are many S E examples of groups and partnerships that are becoming At London Road Station, Brighton, volunteers S T more reﬂective of the communities they serve. U

grow fruit and veg in a previously disused space, D maintain pretty gardens and planters that Y b) Value to volunteers brighten up darker corners, provide pick-your-own Individuals tend to derive great value from participating in herb boxes, oversee station heritage and notice voluntary activity. There is considerable and growing boards, and have weekly socials. 87 Their work research into the motives of people who volunteer and therefore provides the volunteers with access to: subsequent positive benefits to health, wellbeing, skills and 83 enjoyable social interaction; outdoor exercise; happiness. healthy, locally-grown produce; food growing and In community rail, the most common motives to volunteer gardening skills; and a sense of achievement from have been found to include a desire to serve the community, the station’s visible rejuvenation. The wider seeking a sense of purpose, and engaging in mental and 75 community and rail passengers benefit from: a physical exercise. This corresponds with the New Economics more welcoming station; information on local Foundation’s ‘five actions for individual and societal wellbeing’, heritage; free herbs; and even reduced crime. 88 which have widely been adopted by the NHS and policy See: makers (Give, Be Active, Connect with Others, Keep Learning www.londonrdstationpartnership.wordpress.com. and Take Notice). 86

Volunteering is a key way people can experience happiness, contentment and engagement, develop positive relationships Beyond Boundaries at C with others, and have a stronger sense of purpose and A S control. For people suﬀering mental health problems, the act Commondale Station E

of giving to, and cooperating with, others is especially T U

valuable, due to the way it can stimulate the reward areas in Commondale Railway Station on the Esk Valley D the brain to improve feelings of self-worth and strengthen Railway, lies within the North York Moors National Y and build relationships, thus improving mental wellbeing. Park. The unstaffed station has been adopted However, this type of participation in social and community through a volunteer programme, organised by a life can improve wellbeing for everyone. Indeed, research has locally–based voluntary organisation ‘Beyond shown that wellbeing is largely determined by the levels of Boundaries’, who offer inclusive activities for adults engagement with other people and in meaningful projects. and young people with learning difficulties. A This suggests that participating in community rail shared interest held by many of the members – volunteering and delivering visible benefits to the community including those who are on the Autistic Spectrum as a result is likely to pay significant wellbeing dividends. and those with Downs Syndrome – is the railway. The chance to engage others with similar interests There are increasing examples of community rail partnerships and hobbies, including passengers and visitors, and groups partnering with organisations that aim to improve has proved invaluable. The station has become a the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable and focal point for art and horticultural projects, which marginalised members of society. It seems clear that there are has helped to promote health, wellbeing and significant mutual benefits from community rail groups confidence for those involved. Their presence on working in partnership with wider voluntary and charitable the platform is also building tolerance and groups. By involving them in community rail activities, and understanding from staff and passengers, and working with them to diversify volunteering opportunities, promotes the station as an inclusive and greater social benefits can be achieved from our railways and welcoming space. 89

19 Photo Credit: Northern for communities. In some cases, these projects engage the having early engagement with the railways and local station service users or beneficiaries of these partner organisations in life, they are also more likely to engage with community rail, volunteering. As the case studies below suggest, and from and probably use rail, on an ongoing basis. Station and wider anecdotal evidence, this appears to carry particular railway volunteering projects can provide opportunities for benefits to these volunteers, due to the work being highly individuals and groups to contribute to wider voluntary visible, and involving contact with rail passengers and local schemes and awards such as Duke of Edinburgh and National people. ACoRP is working to support and encourage more of Citizenship Service. These schemes not only deliver value in this type of work across the community rail movement, given terms of skills development, but also bring more people in the scope to have a profound impact on social inclusion. touch with the railways and increase the chances of them participating in other community rail activities. It can also c) Employability and skills development provide a vehicle through which community rail can engage The effect of volunteering generally on developing skills more diverse groups in their activities, especially as these and employability is well established through research and wider programmes will have their own outreach initiatives to is high on the policy agenda, especially in times of high promote inclusion. unemployment and insecure work. Various studies have examined the role of volunteering in Many community rail partnerships and groups are developing increasing employability; particularly programmes with universities and colleges to offer through the way it develops job- volunteering opportunities that specific hard skills, transferable soft provide scope for more sophisticated skills and by increasing an individual’s skills development, while providing social capital. 90 huge value to their communities. Severnside Community Rail Partnership Volunteering can help individuals to are beginning a new project in develop skills needed for new collaboration with the Centre for employment, create new social Transport and Society at the University networks that might open-up of West England to recruit and train opportunities for alternative students as Volunteer Rail Ambassadors. employment, and meet others in Ambassadors accompany small groups similar situations. 91 Other studies of participants from socially deprived have highlighted the importance of backgrounds on short rail journeys, activities like volunteering – outside of formalise education helping them to build confidence to use and work – in helping to develop a mindset to help local rail services independently. The students gain skills and individuals manage the uncertainty and risk of employment knowledge for their studies and become more aware of their insecurity and thus promote greater social equity. 92 local communities. Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership, based at the University of Plymouth, also offers a For young people particularly, community rail volunteering range of volunteering to provide students from different opportunities could also help develop non-cognitive skills disciplines the chance to apply their knowledge in practice and support character development. By engaging with a and add value to the area. This ranges from story-book social action project such as station improvement or making to student masterclasses generating innovative ideas fundraising, for example, individuals learn how to work with for rail improvements. 94 Such schemes can also help to give others, cope with difficult situations, overcome setbacks and communities a voice in rail development, as discussed in part undertake basic project management, all of which are one. increasingly valued by employers but are also skills for life. By

20 Community Rail & Social Inclusion C

Northern’s National Citizenship Challenge A S E

This year, Northern has supported 400 young people to T U

complete the National Citizenship Challenge. This is a national D voluntary programme for 16-18 year olds that helps them to Y develop skills, conﬁdence, leadership, independence and citizenship. As part of this, participants deliver a community action project of their choice. In Bradford and Calderdale, 80 young people spent time travelling on the Northern network to meet community groups from diﬀerent backgrounds, cultures and age groups to get a fuller understanding of local communities. The project involved providing a safe environment for participants to learn how to use trains independently, allowing them to further explore the area, have an increased sense of mobility, and maintain friendships made on the programme. 93

Many people face transitions in life that lead them to seek new experiences through volunteering. With an ageing UK workforce and a rising pension age, older workers are having to think creatively about how to sustain an income and adjust to working in new environments and often part time or on precarious work contracts. 96 A report carried out by the Institute for Volunteering Research found that volunteering can play a significant role in a person’s life as they transition from work to retirement by providing a ‘structured’ means of making a meaningful contribution to society and to replicate aspects of paid work lost when paid work opportunity has ceased. It also allows individuals to continue learning new skills and giving something back, which all contribute to increased feelings of happiness and reducing feelings of isolation. 97 d) Corporate volunteering Corporate volunteering, which is increasingly common within community rail, offers important opportunities for employees to develop communication and self- confidence, build leadership and teamwork abilities and, importantly, enhance social and cultural understanding Network Rail Volunteers and community connections. at Chichester Station It can also give community rail groups access to valuable skills and knowledge through working alongside industry partners. 98 Network Rail has an award-winning corporate volunteering programme where employees at all levels are Salford Central’s adoption C A given up to five days of paid volunteer leave per year and S

by On the Out E

are encouraged to volunteer their time on community S T projects. Staff have worked with community rail groups, At Salford Central, the station has been U D supported rail safety work, adopted stations, and adopted by a local voluntary organisation On Y organised stand-alone projects. This has included the Out, which provides ex-offenders with revamping Radcliffe-on-Trent Station on the Poacher Line, joining forces with East Midlands Trains and Sustrans East support on their release, at a point when they Midlands. 99 may not otherwise choose to work openly within mainstream services. Their work helps Another excellent example of work to deliver better re-integration into the community through community use of rail assets for the benefit of social volunteering and training opportunities. This inclusion is an Network Rail event at Euston Station on helps them make the adjustment back into Christmas Day to provide lunch for homeless people. 100 employment, plus their work at the station They also participate in community projects outside of the aims to create a positive presence within the railway, which is a valuable way of raising awareness of rail community and soften negative views of past and the people that make it work, but builds good offenders. 95 relationships with communities. 101 21 3 Part five: Engaging communities in art and heritage

Arts and heritage projects are a major element of community rail, helping to create inclusive networks, engage new audiences and excluded groups, increase pride and ownership and create a powerful community identity. It is well-documented that community art that focuses on cultural well-being, self-expression and creativity helps to improve and bind communities, promoting social inclusion both through the impact of the project and the process of creation itself. 102 Projects that help to create awareness of and engagement with local history and heritage, which local railways invariably played a key part in, can similarly help people to feel connected, rooted and positive in relation to their area. a) Art projects wider sources. The networking between amateur, community Participatory community art projects occurring in and and professional bodies, groups and organisations through around stations play a strong role in making stations into community art projects has also been shown to promote brighter, more welcoming gateways for their communities, social cohesion. 106 In community rail, successful projects often while being a vehicle through which community rail can draw in other groups and associations that play pivotal roles promote social inclusion. in the local area, and can provide a shared space for artistic Train stations provide an excellent focal point for community impression and community work. art. As important public spaces, often of historic importance, many oﬀer a blank canvas for reaching new audiences and encouraging reﬂection and intrigue. As an important gateway into a community, station art projects can impact on how residents feel about where they live. Indeed, research has C shown the role the arts play in helping to galvanise Ladywell welcomes everybody A S community engagement, participation in planning and in E

103 In Ladywell in London, the community applied for S creating a shared sense of identity and pride. It can also T U provide a grassroots, creative response to common issues at and were awarded a licence from Network Rail and D stations, such as graffiti, anti-social behaviour and litter, which funding from their local council to install a large Y can make a station feel unclean and uncared for, and may public art mural to help tackle graffiti under the prevent passengers from feeling safe and comfortable when railway bridge after a number of complaints. Local arriving and waiting. 104 artists were commissioned and the new vibrant mural ‘Welcome to Ladywell’ proudly welcomes The process and creation of station art in itself promotes social people to the community. It started more inclusion as it brings diverse groups and partners together to discussions in the community to look at more create something that represents and benefits the whole opportunities. Ladywell ward councillor, Bill Brown, community, in a space that aims to be welcoming and said: “This is a great example of the local accessible to all. It empowers communities with a way to drive community coming together and getting involved through local change, enabling communities to learn and in participatory democracy. They decided to use share skills, build community spirit and develop constructive funding provided by the council to do something ways to work together. In this way, it encourages different to brighten up their area and, at the same time, cultural groups to interact, promotes cross-generational show that Ladywell welcomes everybody – just like contact, and provides community rail groups with a way to the borough does.” 105 include diverse groups in activities and attract funding from 22 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

The growing number of arts projects and C

Revitalising Burnley Central A schemes on and S E around our railways A The aim of this project was to revitalise Burnley Central S

l T ocal art group a can also contribute to t Stone station station in a way that would be relevant to current and U D wider social policy future passengers. British Asian passengers make up Y aims on wellbeing and health. An inquiry by the one of the largest groups of rail users in the North West, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing but, according to Passenger Focus data, they are found that community-based arts projects, like those in consistently less satisfied across a range of areas community rail, can help to meet major challenges facing compared to white British passengers. 114 A station arts health and social care including ageing, long-term conditions, project engaging the young British Asian population, loneliness and mental health and save money in the health through the local primary school, provided the 107 and social care. Art can also provide a way for individuals opportunity to ensure meaningful social who may struggle to communicate due to disability or illness representation of this group. Community Rail to express themselves and can also be therapeutic for mental Lancashire worked in close collaboration with the 108 health sufferers. Displaying art work created by these University of Manchester’s ‘Multilingual Manchester’ groups at stations can promote tolerance and understanding unit and a local artist to design a project that reflected of difference and diversity. It can also transcend language the diversity of the area. Community Rail Lancashire barriers and is a powerful way of creating an atmosphere of took the young people on sensory train journeys to inclusion at stations, creating an environment that reflects the generate the vocabulary for the creation of abstract local community and celebrates multiculturalism. It can also station artwork and the children then chose the encourage skill development, improve self-confidence languages that were and even lead to ambitious education and career significant to them, 103 options. including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Chinese, Hungarian There is also growing evidence of art providing and Spanish. The teacher impetus for new community rail work to spring up. said, “This is the best project Participants in station art are likely to feel they have we have ever done, the made a positive difference to their community and, in children have enjoyed it so the context of community rail, may have an increased much and the artwork looks propensity to participate in local rail-related activities. fantastic!” At Stone Station, the train operator engaged a local art group to create a series of ‘Visit Stone’ community art posters, which promoted participation and pride in the railway and directly led to a new Friends of Stone Station adoption group Love thy neighbour at C being set up. 109 On a larger scale, after the hugely successful A S

Smethick Rolfe Street E

‘Mural for St James’ in Walthamstow, London Overground, S operated by Arriva Rail London, developed a route T Smethwick Rolfe Street Station is in an inner-city area U community rail partnership with public art at its heart, linking D Y some of the most culturally diverse communities in the of Birmingham with high levels of cultural diversity, country. Building on the positivity and partnership work of and was in need of regeneration. London Midland projects like these can therefore be instrumental in growing worked with Smethwick Abrahamic Foundation, which community rail and its profile, and engaging new audiences. brings Muslims together with all faiths to improve their community, to form the station’s first adoption group. For train operating companies and other industry partners, art With help from Network Rail and West Midlands and other creative projects can encourage meaningful Railway, the group re-established the station garden. collaboration with communities and make a positive social At the same time, BTEC Art students from a local impact. The Heart of Wales Line Development Company for college consulted the community to produce a large example is working with Arriva Trains Wales and local artists to art mural to celebrate the many cultures of Smethwick. develop a line-long arts trail to mark the 150th anniversary of The result was a permanent, colourful and the line this year. This will include semi-permanent transformative art work that reads ‘Love thy neighbour’ installations along the line, open studio in many different languages, celebrating diversity and weekends that are accessible by rail reflecting the whole community. Students and performances. 112 As has been from the same college helped to transform an argued elsewhere, the true unused room at the station into a meeting and principles of community rail extend exhibition space that could be used by the over boundaries between different community, enabling the station to take part train operators, and joint projects in Heritage Open Day. With many people that involve multiple partners can engaged across cultures, ages and abilities, often be powerful and ensure a big lasting relationships have been formed, and return on investment in terms of the community has transformed the station social impact and benefit to the into a wonderful hub and gateway of which 111 railway’s use and reputation. 113 they can be proud.

23 b) Heritage projects Romsey Station war memorial Much like community rail projects that use art to revitalise C A stations and engage new audiences, projects that focus on S E

For many years, volunteers of the Three Rivers celebrating a community’s heritage can also promote social S Community Rail Partnership have T inclusion. U commemorated the 100 year anniversary of D Local heritage is highly valued and station buildings Y themselves, which are often full of historic significance WW1 through different activities, including a architecturally and to the locality, can matter to communities a regularly-changing display in Romsey Station’s great deal and form part of their shared identity. Stations can waiting room, wartime re-enactments with the also play a key part in enriching the fabric of townscapes and Young Archaeologist’s club, and fundraising landscapes and how communities experience them. People activities for a military charity. In 2016, Great may gravitate towards historic station buildings because they Western Railway sponsored the installation of a can provide associations with the past and encourage social monument to mark the 100th anniversary of interaction. As a jointly commissioned report by the British World War One, which has transformed a barren Property Foundation, The Royal Institution of Chartered plot of land into a town landmark. At the moving Surveyors and Historic England found, the regeneration of unveiling ceremony, many members of the historic buildings (like some stations) carries many important community, from veterans to school children, social outputs as well as economic benefits. This includes came together to reflect upon and remember improvements in personal safety and the reduction of crime, community involvement and sense of ownership, a sense of community pride, employment and inward investment. 115

However, it is not just the buildings themselves that offer potential for promoting social inclusion related to local heritage. Stations can house memorials, both permanent and temporary, to commemorate events that have affected the community in the near or distant past. The Friend of Batley Station, for example, took part in the ‘Great Get Together’ to honour the memory of Jo Cox, late MP for Batley and Spen, and co-founder of the group. The station was adorned with pictures of Jo, bunting and knitted flowers, and the event

Friends of Batley Station next to their memorial for Jo Cox

24 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

drew over 80 volunteers and members of the community, 116 sparking conversation and interaction. C

Millom’s Discovery Centre A S E

Many stations remember world wars and those who gave S

The creation of Millom Station’s Discovery Centre T their lives in those communities, including railwaymen and U

117 was a major renovation project that brought a D women who died during active service. There are also Y many plaques, pictures and exhibits set up and managed by disused and historic station building back to life, community rail groups that commemorate local coordinated by Community Rail Cumbria but achievements, legends and moments of resilience following involving many local partners and volunteers. Its disasters and hardship. These may help to create collective volunteer-led local history museum has a ‘mine memory and compassion, and demonstrate community shaft’ entrance leading to an indoor street layout strength. containing growing collection of some 10,000 artefacts recording the town’s past. Its Rail Room Other stations are used as spaces for museums celebrating explains the role of rail in local history. The centre local history. At Ridgmont Station, a heritage centre tells the now hosts school and group visits, and provides story of the station and its residents and the nearby Ridgmont Brickworks. Elsewhere in Glasgow, the Kilmarnock Heritage a focal point for the town’s rediscovery of its past Station Trust has an archive housing photographs, maps and and its future regeneration. architectural plans for various stations relating to The Glasgow See www.millomdiscoverycentre.co.uk. and South Western Railway Company, preserving these historical documents for future generations. 118 Research shows that museums and heritage centres like these play an important role in reaching out to socially excluded groups. They can: encourage personal growth and development among those at risk of exclusion; empower disadvantaged communities by increasing self-determination through increased interest and pride in their area; and positively represent diversity and challenge stereotypes. They can also enhance educational achievement and promote lifelong 119 learning, tackle unemployment and reduce crime. The C

Kimarnock Connections A

Heritage Lottery Fund also points to growing evidence that S E

museums (and galleries) have a positive eﬀect on health and S

120 Kilmarnock Connections is a community public T wellbeing. U

art installation that transformed a station D Y By being based at stations, these important facilities can underpass into a living-museum artwork that is benefit from connections and accessibility for visitors and the owned by the town, its people, businesses and opportunity for community rail to link museum outreach to local groups, and reflects its unique history and wider community activities. For community rail, such future. Led by award-winning community arts museums and centres can also unlock access to more diverse organisation WaveParticle and initiated by a funding across arts, heritage and cultural sectors. It also opens partnership led by ScotRail, the project was up access to other networks of knowledge and further developed under the theme of ‘connecting the opportunities for collaboration. town to the station’ and sought to ensure that local knowledge, history and ambitions were at the heart of the design process. Over 250 people, including local schools, college and community groups directly fed into its creation through a series of workshops and meetings that encouraged people to bring drawings, stories, anecdotes that said something about the town. The project has seen the community taking pride and ownership of their heritage and has created a shared and inclusive community asset that celebrates the town’s history and allows for ongoing community participation, making it dynamic and flexible, so it will grow with the community. 121 The project is linked to wider regeneration at Kilmarnock to turn the station into a true ‘community station’. 122

25 Recommendations and ideas

Throughout, this report highlights opportunities for further growth and development of community rail activities to promote social inclusion, and how ACoRP, government, industry and other partners can continue to work with community rail to unleash this greater potential.

To sum up how community rail can generally be supported 1. Accessible journeys for all to deliver increased impact on social inclusion, ACoRP recommends that government, industry and other partners continue to work to: Community rail partnerships and groups may be able to: • Collaborate further with local groups, charities and other • Support the development of community rail’s capacity, voluntary organisations that support socially capabilities and independence – working with ACoRP to marginalised or disadvantaged groups that may help community rail to achieve more, through greater and otherwise struggle with rail accessibility. Such more diverse funding, and development of skills, partnerships can be used to support rail accessibility and confidence and capability, especially to broaden and enrich confidence schemes, ensuring that these groups’ needs community engagement. This should include the ongoing are met and that they are engaged and have a voice in development of rail industry the railways. support for community rail, but • Consider whether projects by also attention to how community other community rail rail’s independence and unique partnerships and groups to position as a grassroots engage groups with particular movement is protected and needs would be beneficial to enhanced. adapt in your area. • Help to promote national and • Remove bureaucratic and other regional discounts cards/rail barriers to community rail delivery cards/promotional offers that can – much has been achieved in make travel significantly more recent decades, but there is more affordable. Consider an outreach to be done to overcome practical and approach, taking this message to bureaucratic barriers to community rail’s delivery. In community and voluntary centres, job centres, Citizen’s particular, there seems a need to address common barriers Advice Bureaus and schools, to help everyone to access in developing stations for community use, improving and benefit from these savings. station accessibility, and connecting rail with other • Explore with train operators and/or transport authorities sustainable and active modes, and to develop clearer, more promotion of existing locally-available deals (such as efficient, consistent processes for community rail to engage rover or multi-modal tickets) that might improve with the rail industry on such matters. affordability for key groups, and discuss any opportunities to set up and promote additional schemes. • Ensure effective collaboration with community rail – again, • Look for opportunities to combine work to improve rail there are many positive examples and great headway has accessibility and confidence with other areas of work been made, but effective engagement of and genuine covered in this report, such as volunteering, arts projects, collaboration with community rail, by the rail industry, but promoting sustainable access to opportunities, and also local transport authorities, planners and developers, community stations development. Bringing together could be further enhanced. In particular, there is scope to such work could reap huge benefits for social inclusion. further draw on the community rail network to ensure transport and wider development meets community needs, and that communities have a voice. Rail industry partners can: • Championing and communicating community rail – working with community rail partnerships and groups to • Ensure clear, efficient, responsible and simple processes are champion community rail, and supporting them to in place for encouraging and responding to community rail partnerships and groups highlighting accessibility communicate their plans and successes, seems crucial to problems and needs, and ways to make improvements. widening community rail’s reach, representation, influence • Work proactively with community rail to identify and ability to engage partners. opportunities to improve accessibility and support community rail to coordinate such work with other local We also suggest below specific opportunities for developing partners, ensuring the communities’ needs are at the community rail under each of the five headings. These are forefront. designed to provide ideas and tips relevant to those working • Investigate options to offer special concessionary tickets for in community rail partnerships and groups and their rail vulnerable groups that drive up passenger numbers on off- industry partners, although many are also relevant to wider peak services. This may include working with local charities parties. We would emphasise the need for support, funding that support people from disadvantaged communities, and collaboration, as set out above, to enable this work to be enabling them to offer days out and new experiences to delivered on a broader and ongoing basis. their service users.

26 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

2. Connecting people to opportunities 4. Community rail volunteering and services

Community rail partnerships and groups may be able to: Community rail groups and organisations may be able to: • Set up partnerships with national parks, AONBs and • Broaden volunteer recruitment mechanisms to attract a nature reserves to promote safe and sustainable access more diverse volunteer demographic, and ensure to the countryside. This could include working with recruitment materials are inclusive, welcoming and organisations that are working to inspire independent accessible, seeking advice from ACoRP and local networks travel confidence, nature engagement and access to the such as CVS as needed. countryside, and linking with sustainable transport • Ensure you are easy to contact, responsive and approachable organisations and services. for those wanting to get involved. • Work with local tourism attractions and bodies to create • Make use of volunteering bureaus, including websites such as affordable packages for families and individuals to enjoy ‘Do-it’, and local volunteer centres, to broaden engagement. a day out. Cross-promotion across community rail Consider tapping into existing schemes that may help to groups may be useful too. target a particular demographic, such as Duke of Edinburgh, • Consider ways to deliver walking activities, such as led by National Citizenship Service, Community Payback Schemes, volunteers or by partnering with a local voluntary group University of the Third Age, Scouts and Guides, University of to help them combine train travel and healthy and the Third Age, Union Learn and Age UK. accessible walking activities. Seeking funding to develop • Consider working with organisations that can support walking materials in audio, braille or through apps could community/voluntary groups to engage with young widen engagement. people in community life, local-decision making and • Use ACoRP’s annual Community Rail in the City to improving services, such as ‘Young Advisors’. promote sustainable access to leisure and travel. • Advertise the benefits of volunteering in a way that is Consider involving local recreational bodies and appealing and meaningful to different individuals. community organisations to help generate new ideas, Consider what skills and experiences your volunteers gain perspectives and share resources. and if this is clear in your materials, and if you can offer • Explore linkages with participation initiatives and outreach roles that would allow for different levels of time programmes in universities and with organisations that commitment and suit varying levels of ability. empower disadvantaged young people into employment, • Consider whether and how you could recruit a more education and training (e.g. IntoUniversity, The Princes diverse range of individuals to your board or management Trust, Propel, Chance4Change, UKYouth, SuttonTrust). committee. There may be opportunities to access funding for activities • Consider offering certificates and references to help and/or scope for joint initiatives. volunteers gain employment and access further education. • Tap into local walking and cycling initiatives such as cycling This could help with applications to universities and those safety training and bike share projects that can help people entering or transitioning into new employment. to connect to train services equitably. There may be scope • Celebrate the successes and achievements of volunteers in a to embed these initiatives into existing railway confidence way that is visible to your community (e.g. press releases, and outreach programmes and help to promote posters, social media). You could collect and record good sustainable and connected end-to-end journeys. news stories about the difference that volunteering has made to individuals’ confidence, skills, health and wellbeing. • Consider if there are any existing voluntary organisations in your community that could adopt a station or part of it, Rail industry partners can: helping them to achieve their aims and objectives. • Look into opportunities to work with businesses and • Support and collaborate with community rail on any of the organisations to explore corporate volunteering. This might above initiatives, especially by helping to make be practical, skill based and/or with a community interaction connections and introductions, and promoting and championing new initiatives and successes. focus, and might help to generate corporate sponsorship too. • Consider creating/extending schemes that help people • Consider running a community action day with your train experiencing hardship to enter or re-enter the labour operating company to rapidly improve a station, including market, such as free or reduced tickets, working with diverse members of community in the challenge. community rail groups to link this to railway confidence programmes. • Produce accessible materials and resources on Rail industry partners can: employment pathways into the sector so that community rail groups can help to promote employment • Support and advise on the recommendations above, such opportunities and promote diversity. as by offering help from in-house diversity, community engagement or communications specialists, or setting up links with local partners. 3. Stations as spaces for social growth • Promote corporate volunteering and organise community and enterprise action days, as per the last two recommendations above, See ACoRP’s 2017 Community Stations report for ensuring this is in line with the needs and priorities of recommendations, ideas and insights, particularly the community rail partners. To build enduring relationships, guidance on p17-25 and recommendations on p26-28, at ensure corporate volunteering opportunities are http://bit.ly/2qHGM4o sustainable and permit ongoing involvement. 27 End notes 5. Engaging communities in art and heritage 1. Hampshire Voluntary Sector Consortium (2008) Equality and diversity: what it means and how to do it, https://www.learningcurve.org.uk/sites/ladder4learning.org.uk/files/file_uploads/ladderresources/Equality DiversityToolkit%20Mar09.pdf Community rail groups and organisations may be able to: 2. Charity Commission (2001) The Promotion of Social Inclusion, • Work with groups with local knowledge and networks https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/359358/socinc.pdf 3. on arts and heritage projects, to ensure these achieve Equality Act (2010) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents 4. OECD (2011), Perspectives on Global Development 2012: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World, maximum social impact. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/persp_glob_dev-2012-en • Involve a diverse range of community groups in 5. Social Exclusion Unit (2003) Making the Connections: Final Report on Social Exclusion and Transport, decision-making and creation when considering, http://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/series/accessibility/making-the-connections.pdf. 6. Department for Transport (2017) Future of community rail strategy consultation, planning and undertaking any art work, heritage https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-community-rail-strategy projects, memorials or commemorative literature to 7. Rail Delivery Group (2017), Britain Runs on Rail, http://www.britainrunsonrail.co.uk/files/docs/one-plan.pdf 8. See: https://www.communityraillancashire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Bentham-Line-Dementia- ensure people feel that it reflects their community and Friendly-reduced-copy.pdf have a sense of ownership. 9. For example, see: Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s review of evidence in Addressing transport barriers to work in low-income neighbourhoods (2017), Addressing transport barriers to work in low-income • Work with schools and colleges to increase neighbourhoods https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/jrf-addressing-transport- engagement with ‘live’ projects, encouraging inter- barriers.pdf generational involvement and engaging the next 10. Example provided directly to ACoRP by The Heart of Wales Line Development Company. 11. See: https://cityofsanctuary.org/ generation in rail, and offering valuable work 12. Proposed by Professor Paul Salveson, Group Advisor (Society and Communities) Arriva UK Trains in experience and community awareness that can personal capacity, December 2017 contribute to social inclusion. These activities could be 13. See: https://acorp.uk.com/independent-travel-the-key-for-sussex-crp/ 14. See: http://www.bordersrailwayforyou.co.uk/index.php?page=objectives, and, mapped to national curriculum goals to show schools https://eastlothiancrp.org.uk/about-us/ and colleges how they can be involved. Consider using 15. Community Transport Association (2017) The Future of Demand Responsive Transport’, http://www.ctauk.org/UserFiles/Documents/The-Future-of-Demand-Responsive-Transport.pdf schools’ existing evaluative and monitoring 16. See p7 of Community Transport Association (2017) The Future of Demand Responsive Transport’, procedures to demonstrate the impact of projects. http://www.ctauk.org/UserFiles/Documents/The-Future-of-Demand-Responsive-Transport.pdf 17. RAC Foundation (2012) 21 million households in transport poverty, • Consider the Arts Council Accreditation Scheme when https://www.racfoundation.org/media-centre/transport-poverty developing exhibits and museums. This is based on 18. Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2017), Addressing transport barriers to work in low-income neighbourhoods, https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/jrf-addressing-transport- nationally-agreed standards and could help access to barriers.pdf funding and support around developing inclusive 19. Sustrans (2012) ‘Locked out: Transport Poverty in the UK’, 123 https://www.sustrans.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/files/migrated- services. pdfs/Transport%20Poverty%20England%20FINAL%20web.pdf • Seek funding to employ a creative specialist, or explore 20. See: https://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/tickets-times-travel/dales-railcard/ opportunities to link with arts practitioners through 21. See: http://www.dcrp.org.uk/projects/carnet-ticket-schemes-with-local-shops/ local councils, arts bodies and local community groups. 22. See: http://eskvalleyrailway.co.uk/evrdc.html 23. See: ACoRP’s 2017 Community Rail Awards Winners’ Booklet: https://acorp.uk.com/wp- • Bear in mind the social value of connecting people content/uploads/2017/02/ACoRP-CRA17-Winners-Brochure.pdf with local history, and the important role that railways 24. Example provided directly to ACoRP by Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership have played in communities’ culture, heritage and 25. See: ACoRP’s 2017 Community Rail Awards Winners’ Booklet: https://acorp.uk.com/wp- content/uploads/2017/02/ACoRP-CRA17-Winners-Brochure.pdf collective memory. 26. Mental Health Foundation (2010) The Lonely Society Report, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/the_lonely_society_report.pdf 27. Pteg (2010) Transport & Social Inclusion: Have we made the connections in our cities?, http://www.urbantransportgroup.org/system/files/general- docs/ptegTransportandSocialInclusionreportMay10_0.pdf Rail industry partners can: 28. Social Mobility Commission (2016) The childhood origins of social mobility: socio-economic inequalities and changing opportunities, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/528315/The_childhood_ • Consider sponsoring more projects that enable community origins_of_social_mobility.pdf rail groups to work with other community stakeholders on 29. Ramblers and Macmillan (2017) Walking for Health, www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/Walking%20works_summary_AW_Web.pdf art and heritage activities at and around stations. This could 30. See: www.penline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Spring-2018-walks.pdf be through a community investment fund. 31. See: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/poacher-line-railway-walk-pack/118932.article and • Help to publicise the impact of such schemes through http://greatscenicrailways.co.uk/great-days-out/walks-and-trails/ corporate communication channels (while making clear 32. See: http://heart-of-wales.co.uk/trail.htm the community’s ownership of the scheme) to raise 33. See: https://www.ifootpath.com/ifootpath-news/discover-the-beautiful-penistone-line-with-ifootpath awareness of projects and inspire further industry and 34. See: https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/ 35. Natural England Commissioned Report (XXXX) Greening Dementia: A literature review of the benefits and public involvement. barriers facing individuals living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and local greenspace, • Consider working with other train operating companies http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/5997922130853888 that may serve the same station or line, and with Network 36. Urban Transport Group (2015) Ticket to Thrive: The role of urban public transport in tackling unemployment, http://www.urbantransportgroup.org/system/files/general- Rail, to pool expertise and resourcing for arts and heritage docs/PTEG%20%E2%80%93%20Ticket%20to%20Thrive%20Final%20Feb%2015.pdf projects. 37. Social Exclusion Unit (2003) Making the Connections: Final Report on Transport and Social Exclusion • Ensure such projects are designed and led by the 38. See: http://marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk/ourwork-sts.htm community (supported by the rail industry), to empower 39. National Association of Apprentices, National Society of Apprentices Travel Research, https://www.nus.org.uk/PageFiles/12238/National%20Society%20of%20Apprentices%20Travel%20Resear local people and deliver maximum benefit to social ch.pdf inclusion. 40. See: https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tickets-fares/season-tickets/job-track 41. See: https://acorp.uk.com/community-rail-lancashire-working-with-northern-apprentices/ 42. See: https://acorp.uk.com/north-east-rail-students-to-benefit-from-new-partnership/ 43. See: http://www.brake.org.uk/facts-resources/15-facts/488-young-drivers-the-hard-facts and https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/mar/06/young-drivers-bear-brunt-car-insurance-costs-rise 44. Commission for Rural Communities (2012) Barriers to education, employment and training for young people in rural areas, http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/15199/1/Barriers-to-education-employment-and-training-for- young-people-in-rural-areas.pdf 28 Community Rail & Social Inclusion

45. Futuregov and Catapult Transport Systems (2017) Urban transport innovation, https://s3-eu-west- 82. Institute for Volunteering Research (2012) Understanding how volunteering creates stronger communities 1.amazonaws.com/media.ts.catapult/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/18105529/00090-Rural- – A literature review, https://www.scribd.com/document/352351724/Understanding-how-volunteering- MaaS_Ready-for-Innovation-Small.pdf creates-stronger-communities-A-literature-review 46. See p20 of ACoRP’s 2017 Community Rail Awards Winners’ Booklet: https://acorp.uk.com/wp- 83. For example, see: https://www.unv.org/volunteerism/power-volunteerism content/uploads/2017/02/ACoRP-CRA17-Winners-Brochure.pdf 84. New Economics Foundation (2008) Five ways to mental wellbeing, 47. See: http://derbyshireyouthinc.com/images/bline2%20Information%20Leaflet_WEB_tcm49-266708.PDF https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/five-ways-to-mental-wellbeing 48. See: https://acorp.uk.com/coco-the-cat-says-take-the-train/ 85. See: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/give-for-mental-wellbeing/ 49 Kenyon, S. (2010) Widening participation: a role for transport? UK higher education policy and mobility- 86. NEF (2004) A wellbeing manifesto for a flourishing society, related educational exclusion http://b.3cdn.net/nefoundation/813660812dc0c82af5_vkm6vve98.pdf 50. For example, see Hodges, T. (2010) Public Transportation’s Role in Responding to Climate Change 87. See: http://londonrdstationpartnership.wordpress.com/ or contact Sussex CRP for more information. 51. A range of evidence is cited in Friends of the Earth’s factsheet ‘Why travelling by rail is better for the 88. According to British Transport Police statistics provided to ACoRP from Sussex CRP. environment’, https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/travelling_rail_better.pdf, and 89. See: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/corporate/community/case-study-4 Brake’s ‘Drive Less, Live More’ campaign, http://www.brake.org.uk/news/1505-brake-launches-drive-less- live-more-interactive-resource-to-reduce-car-journeys-and-make-streets-safer-in-the-run-up-to-road- 90. Birch, M. (2005) Cultivating Wildness: Three Conservation Volunteers' Experiences of Participation in the safety-week Green Gym Scheme. 52. People who take the bus or train to work are shown to have a lower BMI and healthier body weight than Wollebaek, D., & Selle, P. (2002) Does participation in voluntary associations contribute to social capital? The those who drive on average. See Flint E. et al (2014) Associations between active commuting, body fat, and impact of intensity, scope and type, http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0899764002311002 ’ body mass index: population based, cross sectional study in the United Kingdom, BMJ 349:g4887 91. NIACE (2015) Mid Life Career Review Pilot Project Outcomes: Phases 1, 2, and 3 (2013 – 2015) Final report to 53. Fecht, D. et al (2014) Associations between air pollution and socioeconomic characteristics, ethnicity and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, age profile of neighbourhoods in England and the Netherland, Environmental Pollution, http://www.learningandwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MLCR-Final-Report.pdf http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.12.014 and ETSC (2007) Social and Economic Consequences of 92. Road Traffic Injury in Europe, http://etsc.eu/wp-content/uploads/Social-and-economic-consequences-of- Bimrose, J et al (2011) The role of career adaptability in skills supply, UK Commission for Employment & road-traffic-injury-in-Europe.pdf Skills, http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/42878/ 93. 54. Hodges, T. (2010) Public Transportation’s Role in Responding to Climate Change, and for a discussion and See: acorp.uk.com/young-citizens-of-calderdale-take-the-challenge evidence on the urgency of addressing climate change for the sake of future generations see Klein, N. (2014) 94. See: http://www.dcrp.org.uk/projects/student-masterclasses/ and This Changes Everything http://www.dcrp.org.uk/projects/time-travelling-train/ 55. See http://www.brake.org.uk/facts-resources/15-facts/488-young-drivers-the-hard-facts and 95. Information provided to ACoRP by Northern, January 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/mar/06/young-drivers-bear-brunt-car-insurance-costs-rise 96. Christopoulos, M. and Bromage, V. (2009) What does ‘career’ mean to people in their 60th year? 56. Open Data Institute and Office of Rail Regulation (2017) Improving access to rail information for disabled passengers, http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/16564/improving-access-to-rail-info-for- 97. Smith, J and Gray, P (2005) An examination of the practical and policy issues around the role of older disabled-passengers.pdf volunteers, https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/volunteering-retirement 57. See: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/cycling/55-listening-to-cyclists 98. V-inspired. Gammon, A and Ellison, G (2010) Volunteering is the Business: Employers’ and employees’ attitudes to workplace based volunteering, 58. See: http://southwestcommunitycycles.co.uk/ https://vinspired.com/media/W1siZiIsIjIwMTQvMDMvMTEvMTcvMjcvMDQvMjEyLzA2XzA3XzQ0Xzc4N19 59. See online presentation by charity ‘Shared Mobility’: Wb2x1bnRlZXJpbmdfaXNfdGhlX0J1c2luZXNzX0ZJTkFMLnBkZiJdXQ https://www.slideshare.net/ChristopherSlade2/public-bike-share-constitutes-complements-and-extends- 99. See: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/first-community-action-day-to-revamp-radcliffe-on-trent- public-transport?next_slideshow=1 station/131826.article 60. See: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/10/bike-sharing-british-way-of-life-schemes-double. 100. See: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/25/london-euston-hosts-christmas-lunch-for-the- 61. Ricci, M. (2017) Days out by train in the West of England final project report. Project Report. Centre for homeless Transport and Society UWE Bristol, http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/32437 101. See https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/social-performance/charities-and- 62. ACoRP (2017) Community Stations: innovative community uses for railway stations and land, volunteering/volunteer-profile:s/ .https://acorp.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ComStasRep-Online-Master.pdf 102. Dwelly T (2001) ‘Creative Regeneration: lessons from ten community arts projects’, 63. See: https://www.socialenterprisemark.org.uk/what-is-social-enterprise/ https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/creative-regeneration-lessons-ten-community-arts-projects 64. Social Enterprise UK (2015) Leading the world in social enterprise, 103. Ramsden, H et al (2011) ‘The role of grassroots arts activities in communities: a scoping study’ https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=828443a9-2f80-4c2a-ab2b- https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/documents/tsrc/working-papers/working-paper-68.pdf 81befed6ed05 104. RDG touchpoints specify that when waiting at a station, the environment should appear clean and feel 65. ACoRP (2017) ‘The socially enterprising railway.’ https://acorp.uk.com/research-projects/the-socially- well looked after and that all passengers should feel at ease and not stressed. RDG touchpoint 43, 48 and 49. enterprising-railway/ 105. See: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/railway-bridge-mural-brightens-up-ladywell# 66. 106. Arts Council (2007) Arts and regeneration: creating vibrant communities, 67. See: http://www.strawberrylinecafe.co.uk/ ;http://www.lovellandovery.co.uk/where-to-eat/llandovery- http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160204101926/http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/advice-and- station-cafe/ guidance/browse-advice-and-guidance/arts-and-regeneration-creating-vibrant-communities/ 68. See: http://www.severndeetravel.org.uk/ 107. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing (2017) Creative Health: The Arts for 69. OFSTED (2016) Unique Reference Number: 133173 Health and Wellbeing - Second Edition, ’http://www.artshealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/ 108. https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/133173 Potter, S. (2015) Arts on Prescription 2010–12, Cambridge: Arts & Mind 109. 70 . See: https://www.blackmountainfoodhub.co.uk/ See: http://www.railway-strategies.com/2017/06/06/community-rail-no-stone-left-unturned/ 110. 71 . Local Multiplier 3 (LM3) was developed by the New Economics Foundation as a simple and See: p8 of ACoRP’s 2017 Community Rail Awards Winners’ Booklet: https://acorp.uk.com/wp- understandable way of measuring local economic impact, you can access the toolkit here: content/uploads/2017/02/ACoRP-CRA17-Winners-Brochure.pdf https://www.nefconsulting.com/our-services/evaluation-impact-assessment/prove-and-improve- 111. See: https://www.rssb.co.uk/improving-industry-performance/sustainable-development/case- toolkits/local-multiplier-3/ studies/having-a-positive-social-impact 72. See: https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-4092 112. Example provided directly to ACoRP by The Heart of Wales Line Development Company. 73. See: https://www.carriagesnewark.co.uk/ 113. See: http://www.railway-strategies.com/2017/06/06/community-rail-no-stone-left-unturned/ 74. ACoRP (2017) What’s been achieved through community rail, https://acorp.uk.com/wp- 114. Transport Focus data provided via Community Rail Lancashire, January 2018 content/uploads/2017/10/ACoRP-wbatcr-report-web.pdf 115. Deloitte (2017) Heritage works : A toolkit of best practice in heritage regeneration, 75. Transport Regeneration (2015) The Value of Community Rail Partnerships and Community Rail http://www.bpf.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Heritage-Works-14July2017-for-web.pdf Volunteering, https://acorp.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/140916_Value-of-CRPs-and- 116. See: https://acorp.uk.com/its-great-to-get-together-at-batley-station/ volunteering_final-draft-v3.17.pdf 117. See: http://railwayheritagetrust.co.uk/the-rht-and-war-memorials/ 76. Statistics provided directly to ACoRP by Northern, January 2018 118. See: http://ksrht.org/facilities/gswra-archives 77. Transport Regeneration (2015) The Value of Community Rail Partnerships and Community Rail Volunteering, https://acorp.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/140916_Value-of-CRPs-and- 119. RCMG and Department of Museum Studies, University of Leicester (2000) Museums and Social Inclusion: volunteering_final-draft-v3.17.pdf The GLLAM Report, https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/museumstudies/rcmg/projects/museums-and- social-inclusion-the-gllam-report/GLLAM%20Interior.pdf 78. Ockenden, N. (2007) Volunteering in the natural outdoors in the UK and Ireland, https://www.outdoorrecreation.org.uk/wp- 120. Heritage Lottery Fund (2016) Values and benefits of heritage: a research review by HLF Strategy & Business content/uploads/olddownloads/Volunteering%20in%20the%20natural%20outdoors%20in%20the%20U Development Department, K%20and%20Ireland%20-%20a%20literature%20review.pdf https://www.hlf.org.uk/file/13716/download?token=R5CdLvMaiH5EJ_gA1qfJMYQxc6rsOfItlfE9Ok7jzsg 79. Institute for Volunteering Research (2011) Pathways through participation: what creates and sustains 121. See p6 of ACoRP’s 2017 Community Rail Awards Winners’ Booklet: https://acorp.uk.com/wp- active citizenship?, content/uploads/2017/02/ACoRP-CRA17-Winners-Brochure.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161022000846/http://pathwaysthroughparticipation.org.uk/resources/fina To watch a video by the artist: http://www.waveparticle.co.uk/kilmarnock-connections-for-kilmarnock-rail- lreport/index.html station-underpass 80. Youth Action Network and the Centre for Social Action (2009)The Impact of Volunteering on Social Capital 122. ACoRP (2017) Community Stations: innovative community uses for railway stations and land, and Community Cohesion, http://www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/health-and-life-sciences-documents/centre- https://acorp.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ComStasRep-Online-Master.pdf for-social-action/research/project-reaction-final-report.pdf 123. For information about the Arts Council accreditation scheme, see 81. Volunteer Now (2011) The role of volunteering as an integral part of community development in Northern http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-museums/accreditation-scheme-0 Island, http://www.volunteernow.co.uk/fs/doc/publications/community-development-and-volunteering- briefing-paper1.pdf

29 About ACoRP About Rail Delivery Group

The Association of Community Rail Partnerships The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) brings together the (ACoRP) is dedicated to supporting community-based companies that run Britain’s railway into a single team groups and partnerships that connect their community with one goal - to deliver a better railway for you and with their railway and deliver social beneﬁt. your community.

ACoRP supports and assists community rail All the passenger and freight rail companies are partnerships and groups to: members of the RDG, as well as Network Rail and HS2. • Enhance the railways’ contribution to local RDG provides services and support to enable sustainable development and community wellbeing, members to succeed in transforming and delivering a including by maximising access to and use of the successful railway. railways • Ensure the community has a voice and plays a part in Rail is fundamental to the country’s prosperity. After the development and improvement of our railways, enormous growth, Britain’s railway is increasingly so this meets community needs and aspirations and important in connecting workers to jobs, businesses to delivers maximum social beneﬁt markets, and people to their families and friends. • Communicate the development and importance of RDG continues to work with ACoRP to further the case our railways to local communities, enhancing for community rail activity and support for it, as well as understanding and pride, and promoting rail as a key improving train operators’ knowledge of how the part of sustainable, healthy travel. community role can help them and the communities they serve through practical examples. While ACoRP remains a small organisation, its recent growth means it is further developing its support work, See: www.raildeliverygroup.com providing a greater range of training opportunities and written materials, and better facilitating sharing and networking across its members and partners.

For further advice and support please contact Tel: 01484 548926 Email: [email protected] www.communityrail.org.uk