Tag: 6VT

Communities across Scotland celebrate ‘Journeys for All’ during Community Rail Week 2026

Communities across Scotland came together to celebrate Community Rail Week 2026, organised by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, showcasing how local railways, stations and volunteers are creating more inclusive, accessible and connected communities through the theme of ‘Journeys for All’, says Community Rail Network. 

Community rail brings people, railways and communities together. It’s a grassroots movement made up of community rail partnerships, station volunteer groups and local organisations working with the rail industry to improve stations, build confidence in train travel, promote sustainable journeys and help rail better serve local people. 

This year’s national campaign, led by the Community Rail Network and sponsored by the Rail Delivery Group, ran from 1–7 June under the theme ‘Journeys for All’. The week engaged over 13,000 people through events and activities across Britain, with a wider campaign reaching millions online. 

Coinciding with Volunteers’ Week, it shone a spotlight on the thousands of volunteers and community rail teams who work year-round to tackle isolation, improve wellbeing, support sustainable travel and connect communities with their local railways. 

Highlights included: 

  • Highland Main Line, Borders Railway and 6VT Youth Community Rail Partnerships joining forces at Edinburgh Waverley to deliver a vibrant community rail showcase, highlighting local initiatives and inspiring greater awareness and uptake of sustainable travel across diverse audiences.  
  • Friends of Newton Station, supported by Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership and CAF Rail Services, leading a community gardening day to transform and enhance the station environment, strengthening local pride, encouraging volunteering and creating a more welcoming gateway for passengers.  
  • 6VT Youth Community Rail Partnership leading a “Try the Train” experience for over 30 local school children, building confidence in using rail and opening up new opportunities for independent, sustainable travel.      

Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend said:”Community Rail Week 2026 demonstrated the incredible impact that community rail has in bringing people together and making rail travel more accessible, welcoming and relevant to people’s lives.  

“Through this year’s ‘Journeys for All’ theme, community rail partnerships and volunteers showcased how local railways can help tackle isolation, build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect people to opportunities.” 

6VT Youth CRP operations manager Fiona Horne said: “We’re incredibly proud to have taken part in Community Rail Week as part of this national campaign, celebrating the people and partnerships that make our railways so much more than a means of transport.

“It highlights how community rail can bring people together, support inclusion, create memorable experiences and help ensure everyone feels welcome and confident travelling by train.” 

Community rail continues to thrive across Scotland, where partnerships and volunteers work alongside train operators, local authorities, charities and community groups to improve station environments, promote sustainable travel and ensure railways remain accessible and welcoming for all. 

Across Scotland, nine community rail partnerships and around 210 station volunteer groups deliver a range of activities designed to encourage sustainable travel, celebrate local heritage and ensure rail remains at the heart of community life. 

Edinburgh’s Time to Talk wins top partnership at Scottish Charity Awards 2026

Scotland’s voluntary sector celebrated at SCVO’s annual awards ceremony

An Edinburgh youth partnership has won a top award for its work supporting the local community. 

The Time to Talk Partnership, run by The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate Youth, and 6VT, won Partnership of the Year at the Scottish Charity Awards 2026.   

The winners of the Scottish Charity Awards recognising Scotland’s voluntary sector were announced in a celebratory awards ceremony last night (Thursday 11 June) at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow. 

Hosted by Sally Magnusson and run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector. This year’s shortlist included 35 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.  

The Time to Talk partnership has made a significant difference for young people in Edinburgh by bridging clinical and community services and making mental health support more accessible.  

This innovative, collaboration brings together The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate Youth and 6VT to deliver joined-up support – providing one-to-one provision in community settings and youth workers in NHS emergency departments at weekends.  

Young people accessing services report improved wellbeing, greater confidence, and stronger family relationships. Crucially, the partnership has strengthened relationships across the voluntary and statutory sectors, creating a more integrated and coordinated support system across Edinburgh. 

Cara Spence, Director at The Junction, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for this recognition. This award shows what’s possible when we come together with a shared purpose. It’s a privilege to work alongside our ‘Time to Talk’ partners—sharing challenges, finding solutions, and building lasting connections.  

“At a time when many young people face poor mental health, the third sector plays a vital role in prevention and support. ‘Time to Talk’ is making a real difference to young people and their families, and we’re committed to growing this impact.

“We also thank our funders, the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian, for their ongoing commitment to whole-family wellbeing and transformational change.” 

Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “What a fantastic event to recognise the accomplishments of organisations and individuals throughout Scotland’s voluntary sector.

“Our finalists and winners are outstanding examples of the incredible impact made possible through the dedication of those who work and volunteer within charities, community organisations and social enterprises.

“They continue to champion important causes, deliver essential support and help create stronger, more vibrant communities. 

“Every community and every area of society benefits from the valuable work that SCVO has the privilege of witnessing every day. Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards, including our sponsors, the Radisson Blu for hosting the event, and of course Sally Magnusson, who was as wonderful as ever. 

“Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners – I’m already excited to see what 2027 has in store!” 

The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel following a rigorous shortlisting process.

The winners of the Scottish Charity Awards 2023 are: 

  • Campaign of the Year award: Victim Support Scotland
  • Volunteer of the Year award: Jim Cassidy – Men Matter Scotland
  • Climate Impact award: Crail Community Partnership
  • Employee of the Year award: Scott Montgomery  – The Killie Community
  • Partnership of the Year award: The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate Youth, and 6VT – Time to Talk Partnership
  • Trustee of the Year award: Susan Griffin  – Glenurquhart Rural Community Association
  • Charity of the Year award (<£100k): Beyond Srebrenica
  • Charity of the Year award (£100K – £500K): Megan’s Space
  • Charity of the Year award (>£500k): Amma Birth Companions

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s Scottish Charity Awards winners and finalists.

“The work being celebrated tonight demonstrates the extraordinary difference that charities make to communities right across Scotland every single day. Whether tackling violence against women, supporting mental health, or driving climate action, these organisations are addressing some of our toughest social challenges at their source. 

“The Scottish Government is proud to stand alongside Scotland’s third sector. That is why we are committed to developing a Third Sector Partnership – a formal agreement co-designed with the sector to strengthen its voice and improve lives.

“Additionally, we want to continue to improve funding arrangements so that organisations like tonight’s winners can plan and deliver with confidence for the long term.” 

Holyrood Committee meet with young people in Edinburgh over concerns of growing youth violence

The Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee have visited Edinburgh City Youth Café, 6VT, as part of their ongoing inquiry into youth violence.

The Committee have been considering Petition PE1947: Address Scotland’s culture of youth violence which “calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to address the disturbing culture of youth violence in Scotland.”

As part of their evidence gathering, the Committee agreed to engage directly with individuals, families and communities affected by youth violence.

Visiting 6VT, the Committee joined a drop-in session with the Cairn Service which offers support to children and young People, aged 10-25 from the Edinburgh area, who been victims or witnesses of crime.

During the visit the Committee met with 6VT CEO, Dot Horne, Operations Manager, Fiona Horne and young people to discuss the impact of youth violence, the role that social media plays in fuelling this and how safe people feel in their communities.

Commenting after the visit, Committee Convener, Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “The Committee agreed that hearing first-hand from those who have been impacted by the issues raised in the petition was essential to our considerations and any recommendations we may make to the Scottish Government.

“Visiting 6VT in Edinburgh has provided us with the opportunity to directly engage with young people affected by youth violence and hear about the changes they want to see to make their communities feel safer.

“By continuing to engage with communities and organisations involved in tackling youth violence, we hope to gain deeper insights into the challenges faced and to be able to identify appropriate actions for Government to take in order to tackle the key issues.”

Young people enjoy glimpse of greener travel future

Members of Britain’s only youth community rail partnership were given a taste of revolutionary greener travel as they rode a hydrogen-fuelled train to and from Glasgow at COP26.

Young people involved with the 6VT Community Rail Partnership, based in Edinburgh, joined Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, aboard HydroFLEX, created by rail leasing firm Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham.

As Britain’s first mainline-approved hydrogen-train, HydroFLEX has been on display during the climate summit as part of the UK government’s plans to decarbonise rail travel by 2050.

While on board, 6VT members enjoyed a demonstration as to how the hydrogen technology works and took part in discussions around the importance of developing sustainable travel to combat the climate emergency.

They also had the opportunity to experience a train-driving simulator at the Rail Delivery Group’s green and sustainable-themed stand at Glasgow Central Station.

Last month, the partnership, who are members of Community Rail Network and part of the growing community rail movement across Britain, marked the first-ever ‘Community Rail Week’ by taking a journey from Edinburgh to Glasgow. During their trip, members pledged to ‘Go Green by Train,’ writing letters to themselves containing personal changes they could make to become more environmentally friendly.

6VT member Daisy Fiennes said: “Going on the HydroFLEX train was a great experience.

“It’s incredible how like an ordinary train it is, yet so different. It’s amazing how people are working so hard to solve the climate crisis, and it’s so important that we do solve it, because there isn’t a planet B.”

Fiona Horne, operations manager at the 6VT Youth Café, where the community rail partnership is based, added: “6VT Youth CRP were delighted and privileged to be invited to experience a journey on the groundbreaking HydroFLEX train.

“Our young people got to hear and see first-hand how the train works. As passengers of the future, their hope is that this method of green travel will be part of the way forward.”

Transport has a huge role to play if the UK is to reach its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% of 1990 levels, or ‘net zero’, by 2050. It is now the largest emitting sector in the UK, making up 27% of domestic emissions in 2019.

Rail is already acknowledged as one of the greenest ways to travel, producing just 1% of transport emissions, and is getting greener all the time.

The £8million HydroFLEX project allows new hydrogen fuel systems to be installed on upcycled trains, providing a clean and renewable energy source. The train, which also welcomed Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson during COP26, is a tri-mode that can also run on electricity and battery power, all sources identified as having a role to play in decarbonising rail traction.

Alongside her Community Rail Network role, Ms Townsend was at COP26 as the chair of the Sustainable Transport Alliance, a group that brings together the UK’s leading sustainable transport organisations.

The alliance’s ‘People make transport: communities enabling greener travel’ event highlighted the importance of drawing on community actions and voices, including those of young people, to place walking and cycling, public, community, and shared transport at the heart of climate ambitions.

She said: “It was fantastic to join members of 6VT aboard HydroFLEX, and to be able to talk to them about sustainable transport and the vital importance of green travel at a local and global level.

“COP26 has underlined how we must put people, communities, and justice at the forefront in tackling the climate crisis, and this very much applies to transport.

“Rail, combined with buses, walking, cycling, and shared mobility, provides a huge part of the solution: shifting as many journeys as we can onto these modes, and reducing private car use, can help us forge a more sustainable, healthy, inclusive future, which is particularly important for our younger generations.”