On track to prosperity: Financial wellbeing sessions in rail communities
Rail74 received a grant of £3,000 from the Network Rail Community Rail Fund to deliver financial wellbeing and digital inclusion sessions in communities around the railway network in Lanarkshire.
Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership is a community-led organisation to help raise attainment and aspirations among communities along the eight railway stations between Rutherglen and Motherwell, seeking to alleviate poverty and social deprivation.
Delivered with local partner Thistle Credit Union, activities were to include in person one-to-one support in budgeting, bank account setup, and online banking, as well as workshops on money management and access to affordable credit union services.
However, feedback from community members highlighted that busy lives, caring responsibilities, shift work, and travel constraints made it difficult for many people to attend at set times. In response, the project quickly adapted its delivery model to include an online panel discussion and recorded session, allowing people to access the information at a time that suited them. This approach widened access and allowed the resource to be shared more flexibly across communities.
The project helped to reduce income inequality by removing practical and psychological barriers that prevent people on low or insecure incomes from accessing financial knowledge, ethical financial products, and digital tools.
The project focused on people who are most likely to be excluded from mainstream financial services, including those managing debt, working irregular hours, or lacking confidence with digital banking. These groups are disproportionately affected by income inequality and are often more exposed to high-cost credit, financial stress, and digital exclusion.
Feedback from participants showed that the project helped people feel less isolated and more in control of their finances with several participants reporting they:
• had never previously spoken to a financial organisation without fear or judgement
• gained reassurance that affordable, ethical support was available
• felt more confident making informed decisions about money
One participant shared that accessing the recorded session “made it feel manageable as I could pause it, come back to it, and take things in without pressure,” highlighting how flexible online delivery reduced anxiety and increased engagement.
By funding staff time, the grant enabled skilled, trusted, engagement rather than one-off advice. This was critical in supporting people who may have experienced financial exclusion or mistrust of financial institutions. The project strengthened awareness of credit unions as safe, community-owned alternatives that reinvest in local people rather than extracting profit.
While this grant supported a defined period of delivery, the project has been designed to create lasting value beyond the funded activity. The online panel and recorded financial wellbeing resource developed through the project will continue to be used and shared through Thistle Credit Unions community engagement work and partner networks, including Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership. This ensures ongoing access to financial guidance for people who may not be able to attend in-person sessions.
| “Network Rail Community Fund via Foundation Scotland’s has been instrumental in strengthening the partnership between Rail 74 CRP and Thistle Credit Union. Their support has enabled us to deliver targeted financial wellbeing initiatives, increase community engagement, and ensure more individuals and families can access affordable financial services and trusted local support. This investment has had a tangible and lasting impact across the communities we serve.” |
The learning from this project has also informed Thistle Credit Union’s wider approach to community engagement. The flexible, digital-first, model is now embedded into future planning, allowing financial wellbeing support to be delivered more efficiently and at lower cost. In terms of resources: the recorded content reduces the need for repeated delivery, allowing staff capacity to be used more effectively. The project has strengthened partnerships with community and rail organisations, creating opportunities to build similar activity into future joint funding applications. Thistle Credit Union is actively exploring additional small grants and partnership-based funding to extend this model to other rail-connected communities.
This project showcases that trains and stations can be used for so much more to interact with the public and Rail 74 CRP will grow more partnership projects to promote this. The targeted communities now recognise there are alternatives to face to face information sessions to help budget and talk about finances.
Some feedback :
| 'I've heard of a credit union, but I was unsure of what service they provide, thank you for clearing that up" |
"The cost-of-living has made everything more expensive and buying groceries for the week has become daunting. I really need to start saving again" |
| "I like the idea of starting a thistle savings account for my child, so when they turn 16 they have a pot of money to start their life with" |
| "I've been thinking about buying a new car soon, it’s good to hear Thistle credit union will give me fair rates" |
| “I’ve always avoided anything to do with money because it feels overwhelming. Being able to watch this in my own time will make a huge difference. It feels supportive, not scary.” |
Read more about the Network Rail Community Fund.