As of 27thApril, London Northwestern Railway’s(LNR) ‘Your Community, Your Fund’ is open for applications – ready to transform local communities once again, over the course of the next year.

The initiative aims to inspire local people to get involved with the railway, as well as supporting established groups by helping them to enrich their local communities. The fund has already supported a vast number of fantastic projects and is set to do the same during 2022.

The process of applying is simple. LNR asks communities and social enterprise groups to submit their projects – which will then undergo a selection process. If successfully selected, each project will need to be completed by February 2023 – but will receive support from LNR’s dedicated team to help bring their visions to life.

Applications are open as of today (27thApril) for two weeks and final submissions must be uploaded no later than Wednesday 11thMay – with the winner’s announcement taking place on Monday 30thMay. The scheme is open to local communities and social enterprises that are in need of funding to help develop or complete a project across the LNR network – however the key focus must be to benefit their local community and station.

Last year, LNR helped bring a number of exciting projects to life and saw communities flourish as a result. Various stations saw upgrades and improvements installed such as the regeneration of the station gallery at Nuneaton station and new signage for Wolverton station. As well as supporting a selection of brilliant schemes that brightened up local areas – including the transformation of the station square outside Milton Keynes Central. To find out more about the incredible work that has already taken place at the stations we serve, please visit here.

Tim Bellenger, head of stakeholder and community, at London Northwestern Railway, said: “It’s great to see our brilliant funding initiative is back once again. The scheme offered a variety of communities and social enterprises the chance to enhance their local railway last year, and I can’t wait to see the work we’re able to achieve this time around.

“The railways are such an important part of the communities they operate in, and our funding not only inspires individuals but gives them the opportunity to make a difference too. I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing variety of projects that are submitted and urge anyone thinking of applying (that meets requirements) to absolutely go for it! It’s great to see the impact we can make when we come together.”