Hi everyone. We hope you’re well. This week we’re providing an overview of our plans for 2021-22 and sharing our new reports on community rail across Britain. As always, scroll down for members and partners’ stories and please send items for future bulletins to Nik.
Covid guidance
Our online advice for everyone in community rail on the pandemic has been updated to reflect restrictions being eased. Read it here.
Our plans for 2021-22
Ahead of each new financial year, Community Rail Network draws up a detailed delivery plan, setting out how we’ll develop our work, support and champion our members, over the 12 months ahead. This draws heavily on our annual members’ survey and year-round input from and conversations with members and partners. We shared our priorities for 21-22 with you in January and discussed them at our last AGM.
You can now find a summary of our 21-22 plan here, split between our three teams: support & development; communications & policy; events, people & funding. Of course, we continue to build in flexibility, recognising the need to respond to shifting contexts and members’ needs. If you have any queries about engaging with any aspect of our plans, please talk to your usual support & development team contact for your region. You can also see dates for the diary in our events and training diary.
This year’s awards
With the lockdown-easing roadmap proceeding well but ongoing uncertainty, we have been reviewing our plans for the 2021 Community Rail Awards. All factors considered, we have decided to push back the schedule, aiming to run a hybrid event on Thursday 9 December. This will involve a prestigious presentation night in Southampton, in a slightly different format, accompanied with online streaming and digital features, aiming to make it special for everyone. This will mean entries opening on 14 June and closing 2 August. We have reviewed the categories to ensure a wide range of entry opportunities that suit present circumstances. Find out more here. Further details on categories and criteria to follow.
Our reports on community rail across Britain
We’ve now published six reports, sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, showing the reach and impact of community rail across Britain. As well as figures on the number of community rail partnerships, groups and volunteers in each region or nation, the reports showcase the impact of community rail, even through the pandemic. Our media releases emphasised the contribution community rail is set to make to building back better and greener.
Thanks to everyone who supported the campaigns, and please send any local coverage you spot to news@communityrail.org.uk. Do keep making use of these reports and their information to demonstrate how you’re part of the flourishing community rail network.
Your next bulletin is on 14 April. Keep up-to-date in between on Twitter and Facebook.
Best wishes,
Jools and Richard
News from our partners
- CoMoUK launches bike share scheme guidance
- Town and Country Planning Association guidance on 20 minute neighbourhoods
