A new round of funding will benefit the regions across the Avanti West Coast routes, which will see stations improved along with aiding local communities.

The Customer and Communities Investment Scheme (CCIS) is open for new applications which will see projects themed around social needs and regeneration challenges funded over a year long period.

Avanti West Coast are encouraging projects which will positively change the community near the line, for example better integrated journeys to stations with sustainability in mind or improvement of mental wellbeing.

Also to be considered for applicants should be the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and theme projects with sustainability in mind.

A previous CCIS project was with the Railway Children Charity, who work with street children who gained funding in July 2021, which allowed them to employ two full-time workers in the West Midlands.

Applications for the fund closes at 23:59 on 16th September 2022.

More information on applying can be found: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/about-us/sustainability/community-hub

Speaking of how the CCIS has enabled Railway Children to create a difference, the charity’s UK Programme Director, Jacqui Highfield, said: “The funding we have received from Avanti West Coast’s Customer and Communities Investment Scheme has enabled us to launch our fourth Safeguarding on Transport Programme, this time based in the West Midlands.

“After Covid-19 we could not have imagined being able to take this huge step forward due to the impact of the pandemic on us as a charity. When we found out we had been successful in receiving funding and were able to start reaching and protecting vulnerable people in the West Midlands it was a brilliant, exciting opportunity. Without the support from Avanti West Coast, we would not have been able to have done this. Thank you!”

Richard Scott, Partnerships and Strategy Director at West Coast Partnership, said: “Since launching our Customer and Communities Investment Scheme we’ve been able to work in partnership with more local groups and organisations to make positive changes in the regions we serve. We’re keen to build on this, so we’re delighted to open another round of funding for this scheme.

“At Avanti West Coast we connect people and places to opportunity and this fund will help benefit communities across our route, which is especially important as society faces challenging times.

“We hope the success of previous projects will inspire others to submit their ideas. We would love our customers, stakeholders and community groups to bid for a share of the funding, so we can support initiatives that matter to them and make a difference to our stations, as well as the regions we serve.”

Rail Minister, Wendy Morton, said: “Our railway offers more than just a service to travel on. It connects people and places, builds up local communities and provides opportunities for growth.

“As we continue striving towards creating a transport network which is safe and accessible for all, Avanti’s Customer and Communities Investment Scheme is just one of the brilliant ways our railway is going above and beyond the realms of travel, to tackle regeneration challenges and social needs across the UK.”