Hello everyone. We hope you are keeping well.
World leaders are currently coming together for COP29 – a vital opportunity to highlight the role of community rail and public transport in combatting the climate emergency.
The Transport Select Committee also meets for the first time this week. We have written to each of the MPs highlighting the relevant community rail activity in their constituencies.
Autumn budget key points
On the day of our last bulletin, the Chancellor delivered the new government’s budget. We’ve produced a summary of key transport points here. You may also be interested to read NCVO’s analysis for the community and voluntary sector, and be aware of NCVO and ACEVO’s campaigning for exemptions from the NI increase for the third sector and a new Civil Society Covenant, which Community Rail Network is feeding into.
CRPs are advised to study the planned changes to NI and calculate now how these will affect your costs in 2025-26, ensuring these are budgeted for, and informing core funders. Bear in mind that the increase in ‘Employment Allowance’ will offset the added costs for many smaller organisations, but not for CRPs that are part of larger organisations. Find a helpful summary here, and feel free to speak to your usual contact in our support & development team.
AGM and charity status
Make sure to book onto our Annual General Meeting (AGM), Tuesday 28 January 2025, 2-3.30pm, on Zoom. Please remember there will be an important vote regarding Community Rail Network’s proposal to pursue charitable status. You can read more about why we’re keen to pursue this, the benefits, and how it relates to members, here. We’re also still inviting applications for new board members to play a role shaping the future of our organisation: details here.
Funding
Our Community Rail Development Fund and Small Grants Fund remain open for applications, although please note the latter is now running low and will soon run out. Find all the key details here and contact grants@communityrail.org.uk with any questions.
‘Confident presentations’ training session
Would you like to develop your confidence when presenting on community rail’s work and insights? Join our online training on Tuesday 19 November, 9.30am-1pm, to learn about identifying and refining key messages and communicating these effectively. Members only. Book here.
Railway 200
Next week we will be sharing a toolkit to help members with Railway 200 promotions. This will include a press release template, graphics and example posts for social media. Please speak to the comms & policy team if you’d like support with planning or promoting your activities.
Video content callout
We’re asking members to submit video clips sharing your favourite aspects of community rail and what the movement means to you, which we will use across our promotions next year. Videos should be no longer than 30 seconds and of clear video and audio quality. Send your clips or any queries to our comms & policy team.
Send your stories to news@communityrail.org.uk and see our guidance on submitting stories.
Your next bulletin is on 27 November. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X.
Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools
- SLC paper looks at how to better involve communities with station developments
- White Ribbon Day webinar to explore how rail industry can improve women’s safety
- Better transport, better lives: Campaign for Better Transport launches impact report
- Join Community Transport Association conference to empower passenger voices
- Support your community wellbeing project with Severn Trent Water funding
- Dedicated volunteers celebrated at ScotRail in the Community Awards
- Winter exhibition at Kent’s Bank Station showcases work of local artists
- All-female play celebrates accomplishments of Peak District activist
- Passengers invited to take nostalgic trip on festive Settle-Carlisle retro train
- Gloucestershire CRP audio play makes train ride an immersive experience
- Alderley Edge Station volunteers scoop up four RHS North West in Bloom awards
- Hampshire CRP annual review shares key developments and upcoming projects
