Station Adopters from across the North unite for an inaugural conference in Cumbria

Station adopters from across the North gathered in Carlisle for the first joint Station Adoption Conference (Wednesday, 25 March).

More than 50 volunteers who help care for and champion their local railway stations were invited to attend the event at Cumbria House. The joint Community Rail regional Station Adopters conference was hosted collaboratively by the three Community Rail Partnerships whose routes meet in Carlisle: Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership, Community Rail Cumbria and Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company.

Station adopters are volunteers who “adopt” their local railway station to improve its appearance, safety and community connection. Working closely with train operators and the wider rail industry, they maintain gardens, pick litter, report faults and create art installations. They also act as local ambassadors, helping to make stations welcoming, sustainable hubs at the heart of their communities.

With the theme ‘The Future of Station Adoption in a Changing World’, the conference provided an opportunity for volunteers to hear updates from Northern, Network Rail and Community Rail Network.

The day aimed not only to provide updates from across the rail industry, but also to enable volunteer station adopters to share ideas, showcase successful projects and develop new partnerships to enhance their stations.

Joseph Codling, a station adopter from Blaydon, shared how his volunteering experience helped him to achieve a career in the rail industry, with Network Rail.

Delegates also heard from Cumbria in Bloom, British Transport Police and Cumbria in Bloom.

Northern Stakeholder Manager for Lancashire and Cumbria, Owain Roberts, outlined Northern’s commitment to community engagement and support for station adoption across the region.

Representing Community Rail Network, Training and Development Coordinator Alex Peel and Ian Davis spoke about funding opportunities for community-led projects and pathways into careers within the rail industry.

The event was opened by the Chair of the Cumbrian Coast Line Community Rail Partnership, Eddie Pollock said: “The conference marks a significant milestone in recognising the contribution of station adopters in the North and strengthening collaboration between volunteers, the Community Rail Partnerships and the rail industry.”