Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership (TVCRP) has invited sixth form students to take advantage of volunteering and work experience placements within community rail.

Joseph Codling, TVCRP’s Young Person’s Engagement Director and a station adopter at Blaydon Station, attended Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham’s recent volunteering fair to highlight the opportunities available to students, who are required to do a placement as part of their studies.

Having been unable to engage meaningfully with schools since the start of the pandemic, the fair provided a great opportunity for TVCRP to showcase the diverse nature of careers available in the rail industry and offer valuable experience to help young people realise their ambitions.

Several enthusiastic students expressed an interest in helping with marketing, design, and education work, as well as assisting station adopters and drafting plans related to environmental sustainability.

Joseph said: “It was so refreshing to meet so many young people who care deeply about making a positive contribution to their communities. I hope we can encourage more talented school-leavers to pursue rewarding careers and bring fresh ideas to the railways.”