This category recognises the invaluable contribution that so many volunteers make to community rail, and their stations, lines, and communities. We are especially keen to see nominations for committed individuals who make an outstanding contribution on a regular basis, or those who have gone the extra mile in the past year, having a positive impact within their local community, station group or community rail partnership.

Nominations for this award can be made by community rail partnerships, station adoption groups, other community groups, train operators, other partners, or individuals, so long as they are nominating a volunteer who is active in community rail. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

• Commitment and passion for community rail – they have worked hard, with enthusiasm and commitment, making an exceptional contribution to their community rail partnership or group.
• Clear benefits for the community – their contribution has been shown to positively impact on the community, for example bringing people together, raising awareness, or creating a more welcoming, sustainable, and inclusive local environment.
• Inclusive, collaborative, positive working – they have taken an inclusive, collaborative, and positive approach, for example getting more people involved in community rail, engaging new groups or partners, and/or building positive relationships.

Essential requirements: Independent testimonials (4 maximum) must be provided as supporting material, showing how the volunteer meets the criteria.

'Outstanding Volunteer Contribution' is sponsored by Avanti West Coast.

2026 1st Place Winner - Dominic Noades, Kent CRP

Dominic Noades joined Kent CRP in November 2022, shortly after his eighteenth birthday. His application stated, “I have a passion for railways. When I saw Kent CRP online, I knew it would be perfect for me, and that I’d like to contribute my time to one of my passions.”

Time has proven those words true: Dominic has become a fabulous volunteer and relentless advocate for Kent CRP. Over the past twelve months, he has given his support to over a dozen separate events, including assisting at promotional stalls, updating newsletters in our community station noticeboards, joining our guided walks team, and station gardening. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things rail which he shares with joy, matched by his eagerness and enthusiasm to support and promote our events and activities.

Dominic shares our content on his personal social media, and tags Kent CRP frequently during his travels as a rail enthusiast. He takes exceptional pictures of trains, stations, bridges, viaducts and the glorious Kent countryside, and researches rail tours that will travel along our lines. Dominic shares all of this with us, helping us to showcase places to visit on days out by rail, promote sustainable and healthy rail travel, and encourage tourists to visit our communities.

Dominic’s talents don’t stop there. He contributes to our line group meetings and suggests improvements to our website, as well as developing his culinary and customer service skills by assisting at the Signal Box Café at Hollingbourne Station.

Dominic is autistic and acknowledges that some situations can be hard for him to manage. Everyone at Kent CRP has felt honoured to support Dominic to follow his passions and grow as a person. Despite being initially quite nervous when engaging with the public at our events, Dominic has now developed the confidence and self-assurance to share his passion and the joy of community rail with a diverse range of people.

If you were to snap Dominic in two, like a stick of rock, you would find ‘community rail advocate’ written all the way through – he truly embodies the spirit of community rail.

2025 1st Place Winner - Jaymii Claxton, Bulwell Station

Jaymii Claxton has demonstrated outstanding volunteer contribution at Bulwell Station, consistently going above and beyond in serving the needs of passengers, the station and the local community.

A young, single mum of two children with additional needs, Jaymii is quite a shy and self-reserved person. Discovering the world of community rail and station adoption has proved to be a brilliant opportunity for her, helping massively to boost her confidence and skills whilst doing something positive for the community.

Jaymii is East Midlands Railway’s youngest volunteer and has been active at Bulwell Station since 2021. Jaymii has worked with Buzzing Roots CIC to take on the challenge of transforming the large piece of disused land behind the platform and has organised community action days for local people to help out with litter picking and planting at the station.

Jaymii has engaged Scouts and Cubs groups, working with the young people to create a ‘flowerpot train’ garden and supporting them to work towards their Platforms for Change badge with rail safety sessions and ‘try the train’ trips.

Her proactive approach has helped in maintaining cleanliness, reporting issues promptly, organising community engagement events and making the station a safer place for all visitors. Through different projects and collaboration with a diverse range of community groups, Jaymii has helped bridge the gap between the station and the community, turning the platform into more than just a transit hub, but a meaningful and welcoming part of the local landscape.

Through tireless dedication and a genuine commitment to service, Jaymii has become an invaluable asset to the station, positively impacting staff and passengers, and creating a more vibrant, friendly environment for everyone to be proud of. She is a shining example of what a community rail volunteer can bring to our stations.

- Justyna Majer, Robin Hood Line CRP officer

Check out previous 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of this category from 2017-2022.

Entries for our 2027 Awards open at 9am on Tuesday 1 September and close at 5pm on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Check back then to submit your entry!