Making the difference in the Calder Valley: A collaboration with community rail Community Rail groups across the North West work alongside Network Rail to instil community pride, promote local tourism, and encourage environmentally responsible travel. The railway has the power to transform lives, communities, and regions, especially in the North of England. It’s not just about moving people and goods from A to B; it’s about connecting opportunity, driving economic growth, and creating a more inclusive society. A well-run, reliable railway can unlock access to jobs, education, and healthcare. It can reduce inequality and support sustainability. By working with community groups, we can make a difference in the areas we serve, helping more people to access the railway and the benefits that it brings. The following snapshot shows what is happening around on the Calder Valley, and the difference which community partnerships make to the people who use our railway.
Calder Valley Community Rail Partnership (CVCRP)
The Calder Valley connects Manchester and Yorkshire, passing through some of the most stunning landscapes in the North of England. The local community rail partnership works closely with Network Rail, Rochdale and Calderdale Council and other key groups to promote travel by train, bringing their community together and supporting social and economic development.
We have published attractions booklets highlighting local attractions, which help to demystify the railway by developing resources such as our guide to using a Northern ticket machine, and provides spaces where the community can come together to express pride, face challenges and create opportunities.
We are a great example of the creative approach that community groups take to encouraging local participation in the railway, and demonstrate real benefits for the communities we serve.
You can learn about some great examples of the work that CVCRP do below and what’s possible if the line was expanded.
New Pioneer’s Men’s Lab
This grassroots community initiative supports men’s mental and physical wellbeing through inclusive group activities, peer support, and positive social engagement. The Men’s Lab provides a safe, welcoming space where men of different ages, backgrounds, and life experiences can connect with others, engage in healthy habits, and build resilience in a non- judgemental environment.
The project addresses the increasing issue of male social isolation, particularly among those from marginalised or low-income backgrounds. Many of the participants face barriers to wellbeing, whether through unemployment, poor mental health, or limited access to support.
Men’s Lab was created to empower individuals to take ownership of their wellbeing and to foster community cohesion through meaningful, low-pressure activities. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences, listen without judgement, and build connections through honest conversation and shared challenges. A key development in the project’s growth has been the partnership with Calder Valley Line Community Rail Partnership and Northern Trains, which provided the group with Community Rail Train Passes. This enabled members to take part in group train trips to places like Hebden Bridge and Blackpool – destinations they may not have otherwise been able to access.
These journeys offered more than a change of scenery, they became opportunities for bonding, stress relief, and community connection. For many men in the group, stepping outside of the daily routine and travelling as a group helped them to reconnect with the wider world, reduce anxiety, and find joy in shared experiences. Train travel also removed the cost barrier, making the programme accessible and inclusive.
The Happy Train
To celebrate Christmas and the holiday season, the Calder Valley Line Community Rail Partnership launched the Happy Train ;—an enchanting initiative that turned a simple train journey into a moving celebration of music, community, and festive cheer.
The Happy Train aimed to infuse the everyday commute with the joy of the holiday season, and to bring people together in a shared experience of warmth and goodwill, encouraging passengers to see their journey not just as a means of travel but as a part of a larger, connected community.
The train was transformed into a festive haven, with a live folk music group filling the carriages with the sounds of traditional tunes and holiday melodies. Passengers—including families, commuters, and visitors—found themselves swept up in the joyful atmosphere. Adding to the festive spirit, the New Pioneers Community volunteers generously prepared and shared homemade Christmas snacks, adding a sweet touch to the journey.
The project demonstrated the power of community rail to transform ordinary journeys into meaningful experiences. It brought joy to travellers, strengthened community bonds, and turned a simple train ride into a cherished holiday memory. By celebrating the festive season with music, treats, and goodwill, the Happy Train reminded everyone that sometimes the journey truly is the destination.
New Pioneers Community Café
The New Pioneers Community Café is a not-for-profit project which aims to support social inclusion, reduce loneliness, and offer valuable community experiences through food, connection, and kindness. Based at Spotland Community Centre in Rochdale, the café creates a warm, welcoming space for all—where visitors can enjoy a good meal, friendly atmosphere, and a sense of belonging.
The café also provides real-life opportunities for volunteers to gain practical experience in cooking, barista service, and customer care. It serves as a stepping stone for those looking to grow their skills, gain confidence, and engage more fully with community life.
The café runs every Friday from 9:00am to 2:30pm, and is fully staffed by a team of volunteers and one part-time staff member. Together, they prepare and serve a wide selection of fresh food, from hot meals and soups to homemade cakes and barista-style drinks using coffee from local supplier Darkwoods Coffee.
The team includes people from a wide range of backgrounds, including Egypt, Libya Algeria, Pakistan, and other countries. Volunteers receive training in food hygiene, kitchen skills, customer service, and front-of-house roles. This hands-on experience helps boost their confidence, English language skills, and career prospects in hospitality or customer- facing sectors.
The café has quickly become a trusted and loved space within the local area. Regulars return each Friday not only for the food but also for the sense of connection and routine it provides. It’s become a community anchor for those who may otherwise feel isolated or unsupported. The success of the project has helped to secure continued funding, showing that a small, regular act of community care—sharing food—can build bridges, empower people, and create lasting change.
Learning lab
The Homework Club was established at Spotland Community Centre in Rochdale to support children aged 4 to 12 who face challenges in completing schoolwork due to language barriers, lack of resources at home, or limited support from parents. Many of these children come from families where English is not the first language, and parents may struggle to assist with school tasks due to their own limited English or time constraints.
The club has two key aims: firstly, to provide tailored academic help and one-to-one mentoring; secondly, to nurture each child confidence, social skills, and love of learning. The club aspires to level the playing field for children from disadvantaged or migrant backgrounds, offering them a calm and welcoming environment to thrive.
The Homework Club runs every Monday and is delivered by a team of qualified teachers and passionate volunteers. Each session starts with one hour dedicated to homework support. Children bring their own schoolwork and are supported in small groups or one-to-one, ensuring personalised attention suited to their individual needs. The second half of the session is devoted to creative enrichment – fun, educational tasks
that stimulate imagination, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These include art activities, science-themed challenges, and story-based learning.
The Homework Club also encourages the children and their families to use the train and a number of trips have taken place on the Calder Valley Line, showing them an alternative mode of transport and allowing them to experience a different environment.
There is now a group of young people who attend the club regularly, and they are already beginning to see the benefits, as feedback from both parents and schools highlights noticeable improvements in academic performance, behaviour, and classroom engagement.
Low Moor Station art project
This vibrant project aims to build connections between Low Moor Station and the local community, and celebrate the creativity of its youngest residents. Pupils from Low Moor C. of E. Primary School were invited to design artwork inspired by their lives, environment, and the values that matter to them.
The goal was simple but powerful: to turn the station into a welcoming, inspiring space that reflects the people it serves while offering children a chance to explore creativity, teamwork, and local pride. The project gave pupils a voice, a canvas, and the knowledge that they can make a difference in public spaces. It serves as proof that even small stations can reflect big ideas — connection, pride, and creativity — through partnerships that matter.
