The nominations for the Community Rail Awards 2025 have been announced with the East Midlands Railway (EMR) and some of its community partners announced they are in the running to win one of several awards.

Due to be held in Newcastle on Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Community Rail Awards shine a light and recognise the achievements made by community partnerships along the lines of the national railway network.

The winners of these awards will be able to celebrate their hard graft and sheer determination in bringing their projects to life for the benefit of others.

The following shortlisted projects below were all funded by EMR’s Community Fund.

Involving Children and Young People Category – Robin Hood Line CRP – Fusion Learning

Twelve young individuals not attending school collaborated to design and build a Woolly Mammoth sculpture for Creswell Station.

The project saw them develop their engineering skills, which helped them get back into education. This has been assisted further by many of the individuals gaining apprenticeships at local businesses when the program concluded.

Empowering Diverse Groups Category – Market Rasen Station – Market Rasen Community Café

A previously unused room on the station complex at Market Rasen in Lincolnshire has been turned into a community café.

This thriving venture was the brainchild of an adult SEND group from Lincolnshire County Council.

It has allowed members of the group to gain valuable work experience and life skills and boost their confidence both in the café and on rail travel.

Community Creative Projects & Station Arts Category – Robin Hood Line CRP, Poacher Line CRP, and EMR – We Are Nottingham Station Mural

Nottinghamshire-based youth group ‘Base 51’ created a mural celebrating the history and culture of Nottingham city’s past.

By creating the Mural, members of the Youth group learned about Nottingham’s rich history and future prospects in the rail sector. The mural is now on display at Nottingham station.

Outstanding Volunteer Contribution Category – Jaymii Claxton – Bulwell Station

A young mother by the name of Jaymii has not only improved the appearance of Bulwell station largely by herself, but she is the youngest station adopter on the Robin Hood Line. Her efforts have given her a sense of self-pride, raised community spirit, and helped her learn new skills and boost her confidence.

Photo Competition Category – Barton – Cleethorpes CRP

“I Love My EMR Safety Book” and “I Want to Be in the Photo Too!” are the two photographs which have been chosen to be shortlisted for the photo competition, both images increased community engagement and awareness.

The shortlisted entries in the ‘It’s Your Station Category’ have also been announced, those in line to win bronze include Harborough Station Adopters, Kettering Civic Society and Lincoln Station Adopters.

While those shortlisted to win silver include Boston Station Adopters, Bottesford Friendly Garden, Friends of Lowdham & Burton Joyce Stations, Friends of Radcliffe Station, Great Coates in Bloom, Kidsgrove Station Adopters, Peartree Station Adopters and Uttoxeter Station Adopters.

The shortlisted entries to win gold are yet to be announced.

Members of the public can vote for their favourite Community Rail projects through the East Midlands Railway website.

Kaye Robinson, Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are thrilled to see so many of our community projects and partners recognised in this year’s Community Rail Awards. Each of these nominations reflects the passion, creativity, and hard work of the incredible individuals and groups we work with.

From the young people on the Robin Hood Line’s Fusion Learning project gaining valuable engineering skills, to the Market Rasen Community Café providing life-changing opportunities for SEND adults, and the stunning Nottingham Station mural celebrating local heritage, these initiatives truly demonstrate the power of community collaboration.

We are incredibly proud to support these projects through our Community Fund and look forward to celebrating the achievements of all the nominees in Newcastle next March.”