Providing scouts with the platform to promote rail safety

Network Rail is appealing to rail colleagues who volunteer with their local Scouts group to support and promote their rail safety initiatives.

It comes as the organisation looks to build on the success of a partnership between the rail industry and the movement for young people.

Gemma Howe, Project Leader at Network Rail, said: “We’re looking for rail colleagues who volunteer with their local Scouts group, to support and promote our rail safety initiatives, helping to educate young people on railway safety.”

In 2008 Chris Leech MBE created the first railway safety badge for UK Scouting, one that has become one of the most popular for Scouts to gain. Earlier on this year, the programme was adopted by Network Rail and the wider industry.

He said: “As part of the development of a broad suite of programmes in reducing youth route crime and trespass on our networks I quickly realised that people have the loudest voices and the biggest social network in our communities.

“Give them the right information and they can quickly become great ambassadors for responsible business. They have grasped the opportunity with the badge, one of the most popular to achieve.”

The five key messages are:

• Electricity is always on and it can jump.
• Trains are quiet, you can’t hear them coming.
• If you think someone is in need of help, trust your instinct.
• Beware the bubble.
• See it. Say it. Sorted!

Chris added: “I am extremely proud that the programme has now been adopted by Network Rail and the wider industry and I look forward to supporting this collaboration as it continues to grow.”

You can find out more about the partnership and access session activity packs at www.scouts.org.uk/supporters/the-rail-industry.

If you are interested in station adoption or want to support the development of safety videos as activities for your group, contact Gemma Howe at gemma.howe@networkrail.co.uk

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