Grassroots community rail initiative led by blind and partially sighted people in Essex honoured nationally
Essex Sight Loss Council is celebrating national recognition after winning the ‘Community Creative Projects and Station Arts’ Award at the 21st Community Rail Awards, for its innovative work engaging communities with their local railway.
Essex Sight Loss Council is celebrating national recognition after winning a major Community Rail Award for its accessible transport work and lived‑experience‑led art project with Greater Anglia.
The event, organised by Community Rail Network and supported by headline partner East Midlands Railway, took place in Derby on Thursday 19 March. A record-breaking 610 guests attended, including volunteers, community leaders and rail industry figures from across England, Scotland and Wales.
Judges reviewed more than 300 entries showcasing the extraordinary work taking place across Britain to connect communities with their railways.
Essex Sight Loss Council (SLC) won the award for ‘Community Creative Projects and Station Arts’ Award. Their project highlights the experience of blind and partially sighted people through lived‑experience‑led creative work.
The project was developed to raise awareness of sight loss using lived experience, showcasing how BPS people perceive the world through tactile, audio‑described and visually re‑imagined artwork. By placing this exhibition in busy railway stations, the initiative invites passengers to engage directly with the realities of sight loss, challenges common misconceptions, and celebrates the creativity and insight of blind and partially sighted artists across the region.
More broadly, Sight Loss Councils prioritise making transport accessible. This is because blind and partially sighted people have told us this is an issue that matters to them the most. We work with transport providers across the country. This project is a celebration of the work they have done in collaboration with Greater Anglia to improve accessibility for BPS passengers.
Voices from Across the Project
Amy Askew, Engagement Manager for East England, shared:
“Sam and I were both so thrilled that Essex Sight Loss Council were honoured with this award.
“I was personally so proud of Sam as I know her heart and soul went into leading this passion project that uniquely and artistically raises awareness of sight loss and challenges perceptions.
“We thank Community Rail Network and Greater Anglia for their support of our community and the work we do.”
Across Britain, the community rail movement continues to grow. There are now 76 community rail partnerships and around 1,300 volunteer station groups working with train operators, councils and local organisations to make rail travel more accessible, sustainable and connected to local communities.
Greater Anglia’s Partnerships Manager, Scott Dolling, said:
“We are pleased to support this initiative to help raise awareness and increase understanding of what the world can look like for a person with sight loss. Colchester, Norwich and Broxbourne are three very busy stations, so I hope that the artwork will be seen by many people, offer food for thought and help raise the profile of Thomas Pocklington Trust, Sight Loss Councils and the valuable work that they do.
“We are always looking to enhance the role of the railway in support of the community it serves, and our new Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a way of supporting further locally focused enhancements in line with community needs.”
Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend, said:
“Our awards celebrate the volunteers, community groups and local partnerships helping transform Britain’s railway stations into welcoming gateways to their communities.
“From supporting young people to travel independently, to creating greener stations and vibrant community spaces, these projects show how powerful local action can be.
“As the railway celebrates its 200th anniversary, community rail is helping ensure the network’s future is just as much about people and places as it is about trains and tracks. Our congratulations to Essex Sight Loss Council and to all our winners, and thanks to everyone who supports and champions community rail, helping the movement to go from strength to strength.”
Samantha Leftwich and Amy Askew on stage with the presenters of the award
‘Do You See What I See?’
This exhibition is part of a wider programme across the East of England. Learn more about the earlier launches below.
Find out about the latest exhibition at Great Yarmouth
Read about the Colchester exhibition
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Publication date: 23 March 2026