Growing social value through rail: ‘Your Station, Your Community’   

Go-Ahead’s Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) established the ‘Your Station, Your Community’ Improvement Fund, to provide vital support to local groups, charities, and communities along our UK rail networks.

Launched in 2023, the fund focuses on key themes linked to GTR’s corporate social responsibility strategy: mental health, education, employability for marginalised groups, diversity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Community groups and charities submit applications for projects which relate to these key themes, meaning the fund facilitates community-led initiatives, created and delivered by local people.

To date ‘Your Station, Your Community’ has funded 52 impactful projects with grants totalling £1.2 million, providing positive and lasting social value along GTR’s routes.

Focus on impact: Two transformative partnerships

Autism Bedfordshire: Supporting inclusion and wellbeing

With growing demand for structured social opportunities for autistic individuals, Autism Bedfordshire was awarded a grant to run social and wellbeing groups. Over nine months, the project achieved:

• Support for over 300 autistic young people and adults.
• 84 social and wellbeing events.

• 60 walking and exercise sessions.

This created many opportunities for participants to build social skills, develop confidence, and adopt healthy lifestyles in a supportive environment.

Positive impacts

As a result of these events, 91% of participants reported reduced isolation, improved self-esteem and lower stress levels.

Overall, the programme generated an estimated £3.6 million in social value, proving the power of focused community investment.*

Missing People: Harnessing technology for better awareness

Through a unique campaign funded by the Your Station, Your Community fund, GTR partnered with Missing People to raise awareness about long-term missing individuals.

Over three months, the initiative leveraged GTR’s WiFi networks, reaching 3 million customers.

The project scope was then expanded with the support of the GTR Communications Team who helped develop the marketing campaigns at Blackfriars and East Croydon stations, as well as online campaigns through the GTR ticketing portal.

Evidence of positive impacts

These campaigns led to tangible results including:

• 78% increase in website visits

• An estimated £2,364,641 in social value.

“Our collaborative campaign with our brilliant partner GTR was both innovative and highly impactful.” Paul Joseph, Head of Helpline at Missing People

Lasting results

As we launch the third funding round in 2025, we are inspired by the creativity and commitment local charities and groups demonstrate in their applications. With £1.2 million invested to date and 889 applications received, the fund continues to spark meaningful change in the communities we serve.

*Social value estimations calculated using the RSSB’s Social Value Toolkit.