Train operator East Midlands Railway (EMR) has launched a Community Fund and is inviting community groups along its routes to bid for grants.

The fund totals two hundred thousand pounds and aims to support inspire projects that make a difference to those who live in the communities that the operator serves.

The money is available to community rail partnerships, station adoption groups, charities, community interest companies, schools, youth organisations, sports clubs, not-for-profits, and groups such as Beavers or Guides.

EMR wants the money to go towards helping people who need it the most.

To qualify, the group or organisation must operate within fifteen kilometres of an EMR station and meet the requirements of funding set out by EMR, which include aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. More information is available here.

Previous grants

Previous grants from the fund have gone to:

• The Heights of Abraham, to help with marketing and attract new visitors to Matlock Bath, and to promote the benefits of local leisure-based rail travel.
• Chestnut Street School in Ruskington, to pay for a group of Year four children (eight- and nine-year-olds) to take part in a six-week programme to learn more about the ‘World Around Them’ through geography, history and art. Through the programme, the children learnt about the railway, travelled on a train, took a history walk around the village and made a mosaic, which is now on display at the station.
• The Dementia Friendly Project at Alsager station, which followed up the station’s award of ‘Working towards Dementia Friendly’ status in 2020, with a day out by train for members of Alsager’s Memory Cafe. The event aimed to test how dementia-friendly the station was for a small group of people living with dementia, and to further understand any problems they encountered when travelling how by train.
• Romans to Railways, and the Netherfield bridge art project.

“The Community Fund is a great opportunity for worthwhile projects across our region to apply for much needed support. 

“If your charity, group or club is in need of support or have some worthwhile projects that need a financial helping hand – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Kaye Robinson, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway