Hampshire CRP worked with a host of different partners including Network Rail, Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, British Transport Police, local businesses and university students to spread the reach of the ‘Winter Warmers’ project. Demonstrating how the community rail movement supports some of the most disadvantaged people within our communities, the CRP provided local residents the opportunity to donate their surplus coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for reuse.

Through three pop-up shops at stations, over 1,000 pieces of pre-loved clothing were redistributed to those in need across the span of the project. No funding or extra money was required to deliver the project, as it relied on community generosity and resources and drew on in-kind support from local partners and media. John Lewis in Reading provided clothes rails, a local church offered up their tables, and Petersfield Winton House acted as a donation point.

The ‘Winter Warmers’ project established the rail network and its stations as places that are warm, welcoming, and inclusive, and exist to serve the whole community. There are now plans in place to host ‘Winter Warmer’ events at the same locations next year, as well as share good practice with other community rail partnerships looking to set up similar projects.

‘All Aboard the Train Planter’ was born out of the Maryport Station adopters’ aim to reduce anti-social behaviour at their station. The Maryporters collaborated with welding apprentices to create a bespoke, robust planter that could withstand vandalism, as well as engaging local secondary school pupils and utilising the school’s gardening club to get pupils filling the new planter. The finished result not only enhanced the appearance of the station environment, but also contributed towards the apprentices’ City & Guilds qualification and supported young people in the community to see the station as a place they can have pride and respect for.

Passenger numbers for Glenfinnan Station have rocketed over the last five years, and the Friends of Glenfinnan Station recognised that many passengers would like to take the weight off their feet whilst waiting for their train. Working alongside the Glenfinnan Station Museum Trust, the station adopters took old benches out of storage for refurbishment. All 11 benches adhere to the traditional heritage style of the Grade B listed station and were put in place in March 2023, ready to provide a much needed and accessible resting point for passengers over the summer season.