GCRP has been shortlisted for three awards in the national Community Rail Awards 2022 in the Influencing Positive Change & Sustainability and Involving Diverse Groups categories.
The Community Rail Awards, now in its 18th year, recognises the important work carried out by those who work across Britain’s rail network to make stations welcoming spaces for passengers and visitors alike. Alongside this, many of the groups carry out vital community engagement work with schools, colleges, and other local groups to help educate and secure passengers of the future, which is critical to ensuring our railways are an inclusive, sustainable, healthy way to travel. GCRPs shortlisted projects are Let’s Talk Travel, Getaway and Platform.
Hannah McDonnell, GCRP CO-Director said:
“Delighted Getaway has been shortlisted for this important community rail award. The impact this project has had on young people is significant inspiring further rail and leisure trips locally. Faatimah, our Development Officer, has worked really hard to build strong and lasting relationships with local community organisations - fantastic this is being recognised!”
Getaway shortlisted in ‘Involving Diverse Groups’:
This project is underpinned by the idea that the countryside is for everyone, and that young people should feel confident and independent when travelling by rail and sustainable transport. We are working with two Gloucester based community organisations, The Friendship Café and The Music Works, to provide inspiring days out to rural destinations for underrepresented communities. Read more in our Impact report and blog posts covering various events and follow us on social media for regular updates! https://www.gloucestershirecommunityrail.org/research-and-development
Let’s Talk Travel shortlisted in Influencing Positive Change & Sustainability:
This initiative started in April 2021 with the aim of proactively providing rail-based and
integrated transport information and journey planning to those seeking access to work,
training, and placements across Gloucestershire. Find out more here: https://www.gloucestershirecommunityrail.org/lets-talk-travel
Platform shortlisted in Influencing Positive Change & Sustainability:
After months of preparation, working in collaboration with Severnside, Worcestershire and TransWilts CRPs, we were delighted to launch our joint community rail education programme, Platform, in January 2022. Platform offers a rail education programme to schools which aims to connect young people to their local railways and communities, and empower them to make healthy, sustainable, aspirational, and ethical life choices. Read more here and visit the Platform Website: https://platformrail.org/
The winners will be announced at a high-profile Awards Ceremony in Manchester on Wednesday 5 October 2022. The event is jointly sponsored by Northern and Transport for Greater Manchester.
Jools Towsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network said:
‘Our Community Rail Awards showcase the amazing projects, initiatives and people across Britain, that make community rail. This year we’ve received over 230 submissions and as always, the standard of entries has been extremely high. We’re looking forward to joining our community rail colleagues and industry partners to celebrate their hard work, positivity, and dedication at our Awards evening in October.’