Many stations in our region benefit from station partners or “Friends of…” groups. Station partners brighten up the stations, making them feel safer and more welcoming, by creating flower beds and planters, displaying community artwork, and many other projects. Local businesses and organisations can be involved too. Some partners are involved long-term while others join with us on specific projects. The activity is healthy but not strenuous, and you can meet up with like-minded people who take pride in their neighbourhood. All station voluntary groups are fully inclusive, and everyone is welcome. Small grant funding is available to support station partners’ projects.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us. We will introduce you to your local Line Officer who will find out your interests and suggest volunteering opportunities for you.
SCRP is extremely proud of all our volunteers who support a wide range of community rail projects. Showcase your skills, promote your destination, find work experience opportunities for your group, create a mural, the possibilities are endless!
Work experience – Groups which support people with disabilities are welcome partners. Southeast CRP can facilitate opportunities such as maintaining planters or displaying artwork at stations, which gives young people work experience in a commercial environment.
We are pleased to extend our partnerships with local businesses and the rail industry by organising employee volunteering days at local stations. You will work with our station partners on projects like building a planter or clearing an overgrown area. Equipment and a safety briefing will be supplied. Your team can achieve a great deal in a day, it is a huge help to our communities, and it’s a great experience for team building! Don’t forget that your business could also sponsor a station project! To find out more please contact us.
Local stations provide a gateway for walking and cycling groups. Would your group like to lead a guided walk starting and finishing at a railway station? We can help to plan and promote your walk.
Each of SCRP’s lines has a Steering Group which meets 4 times a year and includes local community representatives such as parish councils, local tourist destinations and station partners. You could support Southeast Communities Rail Partnership by joining a local Line Steering Group, hosting a Line Group meeting, or providing opportunities to bid for grant funding for station projects.
SCRP can help to find funding to support your creative ideas for brightening up your local station, promoting travel by rail to your destination, walking or cycling routes, or encouraging young people to use the train safely and independently for employment or education.
Do you know a local group who would like to ‘Try the Train’? We can organise free train trips for groups who would benefit from increased confidence in travelling independently by public transport. Try a Train page.
Would you like your Year 6 pupils to receive a free workshop and station visit with our Go Learn Education Officer? Visit the Go Learn page for more details.
The Community Rail Network (CRN), formerly the Association of Community Rail Partnerships is a national organisation which supports community groups and partnerships that connect the community with their railway and deliver social benefit. SCRP is proud to be a member of CRN.
Individual station partners can become a member of CRN to access expert advice and information and sources of funding.
Ever wanted to know something about your railway station? How many passengers use it every year? Who is responsible for maintaining trees by the side of the track? Which MP’s constituency is it in?
There’s a lot of open-source data available – here are some that SCRP has found useful. Railway Data page.
