In partnership with Scotrail and LNER, Street Soccer Scotland have adopted a number of train stations around the country, allowing players to engage with the local community and promote our programmes.
‘Adopt a Station’ initiative was launched in 2005 by ScotRail and aims to enable local people to come together, engaging in activities that ensure their local area and its surroundings are “welcoming, thriving, and celebratory gateways and hubs.”
Street Soccer players have now adopted Arbroath, Haymarket, Balloch, Bridge of Orchy and Wester Hailes as their local stations. Our players have taken on the responsibility of ensuring that these stations are kept tidy and maintained allowing passengers accessing the rail network the opportunity to enjoy the station platforms, with our players taking up activities such as plant potting and finding opportunities for future art installations at each of the stations. This also offers Street Soccer advertising opportunities and the chance to engage with the general public to promote the charities work at each of the stations.
Heather Manson, Head of Fundraising at Street Soccer was delighted to get the partnership off the ground:
“Street Soccer Scotland are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with Scotrail & LNER via their Adopt a Station initiative. This initiative gives our players the opportunity to support the local community across our various station adoptions. These activities compliment the development opportunities offered by Street Soccer Scotland both on and off the pitch.
This is a great chance to build on our already fantastic relationship with Scotrail as well as have the opportunity to develop a new relationship with LNER. We would like to thank both organisations for their ongoing commitment and support.
ScotRail Community Development Executive, Tracy Stevenson, said:
“We’re really proud to support Street Soccer Scotland. The work they do to drive positive change in people’s lives is incredible, and it’s something that is at the core of ScotRail’s values.
“We are always looking for community involvement in the railway. Over 250 stations across the country have been adopted by voluntary groups, many of whom use recycled materials and work in an environmentally conscious manner to improve their local station environment.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said:
“LNER is proud to be working alongside ScotRail and Street Soccer Scotland on the station adoption scheme to further support our communities and many of the stations on our routes in Scotland.”
The ‘Adopt a Station’ initiative allows our players access to more ‘off the pitch’ personal development opportunities; networking with those within and around their area, gaining valuable experience with the general public as well as a significant contribution to their local community.”
If you’re travelling through one of our stations, please check out some of the great work from our players and staff. To find out more about the initiative here.
