‘We wanted to bring people together’: Volunteers run artwork event at Northern station to combat social isolation

People who use a station in Cheshire were given the opportunity to meet other members of their community and enjoy some arts and crafts, at an event run by a team of dedicated volunteers.

They made mosaic coasters at Glazebrook Station earlier this month during a free drop-in workshop, which was run by local artist Caroline Coates.

Friends of Glazebrook Station and local charity Hamilton Davies Trust set up the event with support from Northern, which operates the station. 

They were aiming to bring members of the community together and combat social isolation.

 “We wanted to bring people together at the station. It was a free event that was open to everybody,” said Friends of Glazebrook Station secretary Julie Eastty.

“We wanted to give people the chance to meet other members of their local community and have a chat, while participating in an interesting activity.

“We also wanted to give anyone who came down the chance to have a look round the station, find out more about the work we have been doing and learn about the history of the station.”

Friends of Glazebrook Station was set up two years ago and is now made up of 14 volunteers, who plant and tend to colourful floral displays.

Working with Warrington Museum and local historians, they have also unveiled a photography exhibition which provides passengers with a fascinating insight into the history of the station. 

They are currently in the process of setting up a community garden and orchard full of fruit trees on a plot of land behind the station, and they are looking to bring an empty Grade II listed buildings back into use.

It comes after the volunteers hosted an event last year to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the station opening. 

Suzanne Hindle, arts and heritage coordinator for Hamilton Davies Trust, said: “As part of our continued heritage development work it was a pleasure to support the volunteers at Glazebrook Station run the mosaic workshop.

“As a trust, we recognise how the Liverpool to Manchester Community Rail Partnership and its associated friends groups maintain our regional railway stations. We look forward to supporting other such events.”

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “It’s fantastic to see Friends of Glazebrook Station are bringing members of the community together at this station and working hard to make improvements that all of our customers can enjoy.

“We are proud to work with hundreds of volunteer groups who make stations across our network more pleasant and welcoming places to visit.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.