The Department for Transport (DfT) is supporting National Inclusion Week 26th September – 2nd October 2016. This is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of inclusion in the workplace and the business benefits to having an inclusive workforce.
Inclusion is about making sure that people feel valued, respected, listened to and able to challenge. It’s about recognising and valuing the differences we each bring to the workplace and creating an environment where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources and can contribute to the organisation’s success.
As the Department for Transport’s week is themed around communities, the Passenger Services Directorate in partnership with the DfT’s Race Network, the Positive Support Group and the rail industry hosted a Community Rail Market Day on Tuesday 27th September at Great Minster House, London.
The community rail marketplace contained a number of stalls showcasing the breadth of work undertaken by community rail partnerships (CRPs) including:
+ Community Involvement – The Friends of Bentham Station and the Bentham Line CRP bring the Bentham Carnival and ‘A day in the life of Bentham’ to Whitehall.
+ Passengers of the Future – Community Rail Lancashire highlight the work of partnerships in working with young people on all manner of projects including station environmental schemes, safety and educational projects.
+ Involving Diverse Groups – the Mid Cheshire Line CRP showcase community volunteering; the Women in Community Rail initiative; and the Virgin West Coast Community Champions initiative.
+ Healthy Communities – Medway Valley CRP focus on wellbeing and healthy lifestyles.
+ Marketing our Communities – Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership bring a taste of Poldark country to London as they explore the role of rail in supporting Britain’s tourism.
There will be three additional stalls:
+ DfT Staff Networks will be serving breakfast & afternoon tea.
+ Passenger Services & the Rail Industry will explore creating a more accessible rail network.
+ ACoRP Community Rail Awards 2016 – The Association of Community Rail showcase the national awards which reward excellence and promote best practice in community rail development, recognising ordinary people doing extraordinary things on behalf of the railway and the community.
The day included live music performances from the Bunker Girls and there was also be a series of talks by prominent speakers from within the civil service and rail industry.
Daisy made a short video of the trip to London and this can be seen by clicking the link below.