SPOT: CCYS Adopt Ifield Station

Send us Fan Mail SPOT: a slightly different format to the Roundtable discussions where we step back to Spotlight a Charity or in this case a Social Initiative making a positive difference in the local community.Amanda Foster, Youth Worker In Charge with Crawley Community Youth Service (CCYS) shares why they recently adopted a neglected local train station and how quickly things improve when people decide to care. For this SPOTlight we’re outside Ifield Station in Crawley on a sunny day as the Adopt a Train Station project kicks off, bringing together local residents, youth workers, and young volunteers who want their station to feel cleaner, safer, and more welcoming. You’ll hear why visible fixes like litter picking, tackling graffiti, and better lighting are not just cosmetic changes but signals that a place is being looked after. Rowena Tyler, Arun Valley Line Officer from Southeast Communities Rail Partnership explains how station adoption works, what support is available, and how volunteers can turn ideas into action through planning help, grant guidance, and partnerships with rail operators. Along the way, kids share what they’re excited to do and why “one small thing” can add up to something bigger. We also hear Parveen Khan support this brilliant initiative with appreciation and recognition of the young volunteers. Positive impact is possible when communities stick with it - gardening groups, artwork, heritage restoration projects, and friendships that start with a single litter picker. If you’re in Sussex or Surrey and you travel these lines, there are stations still waiting for adopters, including Littlehaven, Crawley, and Three Bridges. Subscribe for more local stories that turn frustration into action, share this with someone who loves their neighbourhood, and leave us a review with one change you’d like to see at your local station.Please click on 'Send a text' above & join our Facebook group to share your perspective and suggestions for future topics - Thank you for your interest! Clive.