A big thank you to everyone who participated in Community Rail Network’s membership survey for 2023. We received responses from community rail partnerships and station/community groups spanning Britain, and as ever, have carefully analysed the results to help inform our planning for the next year and beyond.

The survey provides us with some member satisfaction measures which helps us to assess and reflect on what we are doing well and what we need to improve. In addition, it allows us to create a more detailed picture of your future priorities and challenges, which ensures our work continues to respond to your needs and provides support for the growing community rail movement.

Headline figures for 2023:

• 91% of respondents said they received value for money from their membership, compared to 87% last year;

• 77% of respondents received direct support from across the year, compared to 74% last year;

• 82% of respondents attended some form of event/training course/webinar, compared to 86% last year;

• 84% of CRP respondents got involved in at least one of our campaigns over the past year, alongside 24% of station/community station/other groups;

• 86% of respondents say we communicate well (very or reasonably) with members, compared to 90% last year;

• The top three priority public policy areas where members are keen for community rail to share insights are: inclusive and accessible travel (1st); integrated transport and active/healthy travel (2nd); and green/sustainable travel, decarbonisation, and the climate crisis (3rd);

• The top three priorities for CRP members over the coming year are: developing stronger links with and engaging your community (1st); tourism and leisure promotions (2nd); and promoting/raising awareness about rail/sustainable travel; developing station-based projects; and marketing, communications, and media activity (joint 3rd);

• The top three priorities for station/community station/other groups are: recruiting volunteers/developing volunteer activity (1st); developing stronger links with and engaging your community (2nd); and community gardening/food growing/biodiversity/environmental projects (3rd);

• 78% of respondents said current levels of motivation/morale were good (very or reasonably), compared to 77% last year;

• 95% of station/other group respondents said they were planning to maintain or increase activity levels over the coming year, compared to 94% last year;

• 63% of CRP respondents said they had been affected by cuts to community rail budgets, as well as 14% of station/other group respondents. 80% of CRP respondents said they were now exploring or pursuing new funding sources;

• 36% of CRP respondents said they had been asked by funders to provide information on the social value of their activities, alongside 11% of station/other group respondents;

• 56% of respondents said they saw local climate action as being part of their role.

The results of the 2023 membership survey will help to inform Community Rail Network’s planning processes over the coming months, and will be fed back to key rail industry partners and government partners in England, Scotland, and Wales.

The next survey is due to take place in Autumn 2024, however, we really value your input and suggestions, and would encourage you to feed in comments and ideas at any time through your regular Community Rail Network contact(s), on social media, or via e-mail to info@communityrail.org.uk.       

A big thank you again from all the Community Rail Network team.