New Friends of Helsby Station Group Launches to Support Community Rail Projects
Volunteers Come Together to Help Shape the Future of Helsby Station
Eleven local volunteers have come together to form Friends of Helsby Station. The new community rail group aims to improve the station environment and strengthen connections between the railway and the local community.
Volunteers have already begun onboarding and health and safety briefings through Transport for Wales. Transport for Wales will deliver further inductions during June as the group prepares to support future station improvement projects and community rail initiatives.
Supporting Community Rail in Helsby
The initiative supports North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership’s vision of Everyone Proud of Our Railways. It also contributes directly to the Stations in Their Place theme. This theme focuses on creating stations that feel welcoming, safe and connected to the communities they serve.
Chris Kimberley, Director of North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, said:
“The formation of Friends of Helsby Station is an important step forward for both the station and the wider community. Community rail is at its best when local people take an active role in shaping the places that matter to them. We are delighted to see so many volunteers coming together with ideas, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make a positive difference.”
Community rail plays an important role in connecting people with their local railway. In addition, it supports sustainable travel, social inclusion and stronger communities.
Friends of Helsby Station will help ensure the railway station remains a welcoming gateway to the village. It will also create opportunities for residents to become actively involved in community rail projects.
Volunteers Making a Difference
Meanwhile, volunteers will work alongside Transport for Wales and Network Rail. Together, they will support railway station improvement projects, community engagement activities and environmental initiatives.
Their work will help create a more welcoming station environment for passengers. It will also strengthen the connection between Helsby Station and the local community.
Jennie Wellings now leads the group and is working closely with Transport for Wales and North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership to coordinate activities and support volunteer engagement.
The group brings together volunteers with a wide range of interests and skills. While some members are keen to support gardening and environmental projects, others are interested in station improvements, heritage initiatives, community engagement and exploring future opportunities for the station and its buildings.
Looking Ahead for Helsby Station
Friends of Helsby Station reflects the growing success of community rail across Britain. Across the country, volunteers help transform railway stations into welcoming community assets. They also promote sustainable rail travel, local pride and social inclusion.
Looking ahead, the group hopes to support a variety of projects. These projects will enhance the station environment and strengthen Helsby’s connection with its railway.
Future activities may include station gardening, biodiversity projects, heritage initiatives and community displays. In addition, the group hopes to encourage more people to discover the benefits of rail travel.
Furthermore, the group is keen to support longer-term improvements at the station.
Partners are also exploring how they can bring currently vacant station buildings back into active community or commercial use.
The ambition is to create a more vibrant and welcoming station environment. It will also increase activity within the station footprint and strengthen community pride in this important local railway asset.
As the group develops, volunteers will have opportunities to contribute ideas and help shape future projects that benefit both rail passengers and the wider community.
Get Involved
Chris Kinsella, Community Rail Development Officer for North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, said:
“This is an exciting time for Helsby Station. The enthusiasm shown by volunteers has been fantastic and we are looking forward to supporting the group as it develops. Community rail is built on local people making a difference in their own communities, and Friends of Helsby Station is a great example of that in action.”
North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership would like to thank all volunteers who have joined the group so far and welcomes further interest from anyone who would like to become involved.
North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership would like to thank all volunteers who have joined the group so far. Additionally, it welcomes further interest from anyone who would like to become involved.
The launch photograph shows members of the newly formed Friends of Helsby Station group alongside representatives from North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and Transport for Wales.
Back row: Chris Kimberley (NCCRP Director), Paul Eccleston, Barry Lloyd and Julie Crane.
Front row: Mel Davies (Transport for Wales), Elizabeth Kimberley, John Sibson, Jennie Wellings, Gill Locket and Chris Kinsella (Community Rail Development Officer).
