A collaboration between Community Rail Cumbria, Northern and Community Rail Lancashire saw the Soulful Days Out project take place at the beginning of 2024.
CRL’s Catherine Kingdom starting off the celebration – photo Simon Clarke
CRL’s Katie and Catherine worked with four groups along the Furness Line to reengage them with the railway, experience places they could visit along the line, reduce isolation and make memories. They worked with a Veterans group, members of the Trefoil Guild, a Fellwalking group and a walking group from the NHS service in Carnforth.
To see a best practice paper about the Soulful Days Out project click here: Soulful Days Out
The groups chose where they would like to visit from The Dock Museum in Barrow in Furness, Carnforth Heritage Centre and RSPB Leighton Moss. At each destination the participants had time to look around the museums or nature reserve. Lunch was also provided giving a chance for the group to come back together and discuss the things they had learnt or seen and have a social catch up.
The project finished off with a celebration at the Carnforth Heritage Centre and Brief Encounter Café at the end of March. All the groups came together with Community Rail Cumbria and CRL to share their experiences and celebrate a successful project.
We would like to thank all of the groups that took part, Northern for providing the funding from the Accessibility Fund and the venues we visited for being so great to work with.
The Trefoil Guild Ladies – photo Simon Clarke
Eileen, Trefoil Guild said ‘These 2 Soulful Days Out have been a pleasure for all our members who have attended and made our friendship bonds within the Guild stronger.’
Three of the Bay Veterans try on railway caps for size – photo Simon Clarke
Gary, Bay Vets said ‘A massive thank you to Northern Rail and yourselves for organising and funding this trip to Barrow and the Dock Museum. The group absolutely loved their day out.’
