SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) is marking Community Rail Week by celebrating a successful project with The Autism Trust at Camberley station in Surrey.
As part of its commitment to the people and places it serves, SWR has been working with local communities across its network to make better use of disused station buildings and rooms, and former railway land.
32 previously unused locations in station buildings and gardens have been transformed into projects including community cafes, meeting rooms, art studios, and food repurposing centres.
At Camberley, SWR made the station’s former booking hall, an empty retail space, and two unused offices available for community use.
Local charity The Autism Trust – which aims to create a future with purpose for young adults with autism everywhere - took on the space, and in April completed a remarkable transformation project.
The old retail space and offices have been converted into The Training Rooms, a space for training, support meetings and craft workshops, which are helping local people with autism to develop life skills and gain confidence in independent living. Donated items and Hand crafted art, including jewellery, is sold at the station’s kiosk, known as ‘The Station Stop kiosk’ (Polly's Place shop) to raise money for The Autism Trust Charity. Looking ahead, the shop plans to offer a selection of hot and cold drinks and incorporate barista skills training into the range of opportunities at Polly's Place.
The revitalised space is also being used to set up a mock flat, which gives a realistic environment for independent living skills. In a nod to the building’s former life, it also offers train travel training, equipping people with the confidence and knowledge needed to use the rail network safely and independently.
Mo Wilson, Lead Autism Trainer, General Manager & Deputy Chair of The Autism Trust UK said:
"The Autism Trust UK Charity is extremely grateful to South Western Railway and the Community Rail Network who chose us to benefit from the Camberley station's Redundant Space for Community Use scheme.
“The space launched on 24 April has significantly expanded The Autism Trust’s ability to deliver real-world, bespoke skills-based training through The Station Stop kiosk (Polly’s Place shop) and dedicated Training Rooms (The Training Rooms).
"These additional environments give our service users invaluable hands-on experience in retail, travel, and independent living, helping to build confidence, independence, and employability. They also enable us to reach more individuals across Surrey, offering meaningful opportunities and greater hope for the future."
The Autism Trust’s successful project comes as the railway marks Community Rail Week, which celebrates the value of community rail and the positive different it makes to people and places across Britain.
SWR works with 12 Community Rail Partnerships across its network to help further connect with the communities that the railway serves. They help promote healthy and sustainable travel, bring communities together, and support social and economic development.
Paula Aldridge, South Western Railway’s Community Rail Manager said:
“The once redundant space at Camberley is now a place of learning, growth, and opportunity, and that transformation is making a real difference every day.
“We are proud to support the Autism Trust and its positive impacts that Polly’s Place is having on the community. It is fantastic to see this space being used to create opportunities and help people with autism build brighter futures.
“We have a brilliant relationship with our 12 Community Rail Partnerships, and Community Rail Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what these partnerships can achieve and the real difference they can make across our network.”
Polly’s Place is just one of many projects that have recently transformed disused spaces. At Portsmouth & Southsea station work is underway to turn a former office into a new café.
In Haslemere, a decommissioned signal box is being transformed into a museum. Visitors will be able to enjoy the experience of seeing, and even using, the original lever frame that controlled trains for more than 100 years.
A disused area near Brookwood Cemetery was also transformed into a garden of remembrance and reflection. The tranquil space features information boards from the Necropolis Railway, and a place to member lost railway colleagues.
