Platform at The Community Rail Conference 2022

Emilie and Imogen were delighted to attend this year’s Community Rail Conference in Nottingham.

The conference was a wonderful opportunity for the team to meet colleagues from across the wider community rail network, as well as to see – in person – some of the people who had met with them, online, in order to provide advice and support.

There were several sessions over the two days, which were extremely thought-provoking. For example, the youth panel – hosted by Karen Bennett from Community Rail Lancashire – was a wonderful window into how Platform could tailor their approach to make the world of rail more accessible and interesting to younger generations.

Another session – hosted by Heather from Severnside Community Rail and Karen MacDonald from Crimestoppers – explored the importance of making stations and railways safe, welcoming places. It was a good opportunity to engage with the idea that many rail users need as much support as they can in feeling safe when travelling, and the role that Platform may be able to play in this.

The conference also offered sessions on diversity and inclusion; transport and planning; and future resilience, all of which were really useful in helping the team to gain a better understanding of the role Community Rail plays in the future of the transport industry.