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Volunteers set up ‘craft station’ to combat social isolation in Glazebrook

Passengers travelling through Glazebrook Station had the opportunity to meet other members of their community and enjoy arts and crafts activities at an event run by a team of dedicated volunteers.

The Friends of Glazebrook Station and local charity Hamilton Davies Trust set up the event with support from Northern, which operates the station. 

Participants and volunteers made mosaic coasters during the free drop-in workshop, which was run by local artist Caroline Coates.

The group aimed to bring members of the community together to combat social isolation through shared creativity.

Julie Eastty, secretary of the Friends of Glazebrook Station, said: “We wanted to bring people together at the station. It was a free event that was open to everybody.

“We wanted to give people the chance to meet other members of their local community and have a chat, while participating in an interesting activity.

“We also wanted to give anyone who came down the chance to have a look round the station, find out more about the work we have been doing, and learn about the history of the station.”

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Friends of Glazebrook Station bringing members of the community together at this station and working hard to make improvements that all of our customers can enjoy.

“We are proud to work with hundreds of volunteer groups who make stations across our network more pleasant and welcoming places to visit.”

The Friends of Glazebrook Station was established two years ago, and the group is now made up of 14 volunteers who plant and tend to colourful floral displays. Last year the group celebrated the 150th anniversary of the station’s opening with a photography exhibition, and they are currently in the process of setting up a community garden and orchard on a plot of land behind the station, as well as bringing an empty Grade II-listed building back into community use.

Find out more about Northern’s work in the community here.