Engaging with the community

Working closely with the local community is important in securing the social, environmental and economic effectiveness of railways and encouraging greater rail travel. The communities in which we operate represent both our employees and customers.

Our community programmes aim to enhance the local communities in which we work. Our train operating companies support a range of charities though sponsorship or donation. Some examples are given below:

• First ScotRail sponsored Highland 2007 and provides complimentary travel passes to the Clown Doctors programme run by Hearts and Minds.
• First Great Western runs a community project designed to support charities, voluntary organisations and schools in the areas it serves. During the past year the project has provided schools with resources such as books, games, music systems and gardening equipment.
• First Hull Trains teamed up with Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby League Club in December in a unique and creative scheme, providing gifts to local youngsters who were facing difficult personal battles at Christmas. They also teamed up with soul diva Jocelyn Brown to produce a charity single to raise funds for two local causes, Dove House Hospice and For The Kids.
• First Capital Connect sponsors over eight local children’s football teams, run largely by members of staff. Last year nearly £20,000 was donated to charities in which their staff were involved. They also supported 13 drivers who dared to bare all in a ‘Drivers in the Buff’ calendar, raising over £10,000 for the Railway Children and an African charity.
• Hull Trains was the official sponsor of two awards at the 5th International Short Film Festival, one of the highlights of Hull's cultural calendar that attracts national interest.
• First TransPennine Express has a long-term relationship with Disability Sport England. The company has also joined forces with the Forestry Commission, pledging more than £100,000 to local issues such as biodiversity at stations and communities across our network.

Adopt a Station

The Adopt a Station initiative is a central element of our community programme. Under this scheme the train operating companies provide funding to help community groups to improve the local station environment. Numerous stations have benefited from floral displays and a growing number of projects demonstrate the broader role a station can play in the community.

• A vacant building at Pollokshaws West Station has been taken over by a local charity South West Community Cycles who were looking for suitable premises in which they could set up a bicycle hire and repair centre.
• The coffee shop opened in a derelict building on Uddingston station in February 2006 was this year shortlisted in the Community Partnership category at The Network Rail Environment Awards 2007.
• At Lanark the Clyde Model Railway Club took over a vacant building on Platform 2 for use as their club house.

Supporting community volunteering

Our train operating companies offer a number of opportunities for employee volunteering. A community volunteering element is built in a number of management and leadership development programmes. First ScotRail provide volunteering opportunities through the charity businessdynamics.

Developing community partnerships

First TransPennine Express operates a number of successful community Rail Partnerships which include The Penistone Line, Community Rail Humber, the Hope Valley Line and the Lakes Line Community Rail Partnership. The partnerships work to develop initiatives that help to promote local events, encourage community involvement and increase rail travel to the areas. Our partnership in Windermere has helped grow the business on this line by 30%.

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