Local youngsters make a big difference at Cheam station

Southern’s railway station at Cheam has been adopted by the local Glaisdale Day Nursery.

Both organisations have been working together to further enhance the station environment for the travelling public, and this was marked by an event today at the station where the fruits of the kid’s efforts were on display.

The youngsters and staff of the nursery have worked with Southern to install new art displays and create new flower displays at the station. The art work will be continually rotated with new designs from the children and the staff will bring along small groups to tend the flowers.

The partnership came about when Southern’s Local Development Manager, Nick Storie, was working at the station and noted the group passing through. He spoke with staff and quickly learnt that the children loved visiting the station and had a keen interest in trains. Before long the group were looking at how they could get more involved and Nick spoke with other members of Southern, including Station Manager, Gaurav Sachdeva, and Community Investment and CSR Manager, Andy Harrowell. Together they were able to refine plans and provide the necessary funds to get everything setup.

Speaking at the event, Alex Foulds, Southern’s Passenger Services Director, said: “We are committed to putting our station and services at the heart of the communities they serve. We already have a number of station partnerships across our coastal stations, but it’s wonderful to see more and more London communities getting involved too. I am really impressed with the thought and effort both staff and children have put into setting up the partnership with us. I’m sure that both commuters and leisure travellers alike will enjoy the addition of art and colour to this station.”

Clare Masters, from Glaisdale Day Nursery, added: “We were really interested in the 'adopt the station scheme' when we received the phone call from Nick Storie. Our children love visiting Cheam station and it sounded like a perfect way to involve them more, rather than just watching the trains go past. Many of our parents use the station for their commute into London and will be so pleased to see their children's art work displayed in the waiting room. We have already had wonderful feedback from members of the community who have seen us at the station with groups of children putting art work up and tending to the plants, they have said it has already brightened the station. We look forward to a long relationship with Cheam Station and hope to get our other two nurseries involved with the scheme at their local stations.”

For more details about station partnerships please contact Andrew.harrowell@gtrailway.com

Glaisdale Nursery children pose proudly by one of the many planters at the station

Just some of the amazing artwork in the waiting room