Women in Community Rail – WiCR

This fledgling inclusivity & Diversity focused networking/support group has been given endorsement and support by ACoRP!

The group is in the process of being established and a steering group from a variety of organisations with a community rail remit, including ACoRP is being put in place, with the first steering group meeting to be held in Manchester on 22^nd January.

Preliminary aims of the group are to generate funding/in-kind support to develop a website and forum for discussion, along with other functions as part of the action plan for the coming year.

The group will be supporting women active in community rail, including those who work in the industry,  railway organisations, train companies, and Network Rail – and the growing number of women already active in Community Rail Partnerships. 

‘We already have a lot of interest and backing from various industry colleagues,’ says Sally Buttifant rail officer for the Mid Cheshire Line. ‘But we are really keen to muster more support throughout the industry. We’d like male colleagues to come forward and join the group as well as female colleagues.’

As part of our inclusive agenda we are very keen to show that WiCR isn’t just about women, it is about inclusiveness and partnership working!’

The group is also talking to ‘Women in Rail’ about forging links with them as a sister group.

How WiCR will achieve its aims

• Share good practice across the rail industry, for example the gender balance within the community rail sector is much better balanced compared to others. The group would also actively promote equality and diversity generally
• Populate a web page containing a discussion forum , create a LinkedIn page, a Facebook page and Twitter feed
• Updates at ACoRP Members seminars, Station Adoption seminars and other relevant meetings
• Informal mentoring
• Career talks (Live & recorded)– encouraging younger women  into Community Rail roles as well as young people generally, particularly those who choose a different career path than an apprenticeship

We would very much welcome feedback regarding potentially joining or supporting the group.  Colleagues are invited to put themselves forward as a potential steering group members  to Sally Buttifant, Community Rail Officer with Mid Cheshire CRP Sally.Buttifant@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk .  The first meeting will discuss a launch event; how to take the group forward and how each potential steering group member can contribute.

Hazel Bonner