LNER funding boost for local communities

• Nene Valley Railway Youth Group in Peterborough among the first to benefit

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is inviting customers and communities along its route to apply for the next round of funding available through its Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF).

The fund aims to help customers and communities along the LNER route to undertake projects and initiatives that will help address a local issue, bring to life unused or forgotten spaces and deliver educational or environmental benefits.

One such organisation to already benefit from the fund is the Nene Valley Youth Group in Peterborough. Last year they were successful in their application for £24,000 of funding which will allow the group to expand and improve its volunteering facilities.

The Youth Group which is part of the Nene Valley Railway was established 10 years ago as a way of bringing young people into the railway environment. The group gives young people between the ages of 12 and 18 from all backgrounds the opportunity to develop their inter-personal skills, learn basic engineering and improve their knowledge of the railway. 

Philip Marshall of the Nene Valley Railway Youth Group says:

“It is a very rewarding experience being able to provide training opportunities for the local young people, see them embrace this with vigour and determination and apply successfully for the fantastic job opportunities provided by LNER and the engineering industry.  Obtaining the professional support of LNER and the CCIF, provides a tremendous opportunity to expand the youth group and its facilities.”

Currently, the group can only offer around 12 places but because of the funding that LNER are providing, they will soon be able to increase this up to 30, meaning that even more young people can benefit. Additional equipment and the improvement of volunteer facilities are also in the plans for the coming months.

Rachael Wilson, Station Partnership Project Manager at LNER, said:

“The work that the Nene Valley Youth Group undertake is fantastic and we’re really happy to be able to help them grow. We are therefore very happy to be providing them with the funds they need to engage with even more young people within Peterborough.

“The application window for the next round of funding is now open so I’d encourage customers and organisation to get in touch and apply.”

The next round of funding opened on the 1 July and LNER is keen to hear from charities, community groups and individuals who are looking to address a social issue that affects customers and communities and has a positive impact on society.

For more details on the themes that are of key importance to LNER and the current projects supported visit the CCIF page here.