Delivering social value across the network
Great Western Railway’s Social Value Report for the financial year 2025-26 demonstrates the far-reaching impact that the railway has on communities, economies, and the environment across our network area.
During the reporting period, GWR delivered more than £704 million of social, economic, and environmental value, generated through day-to-day operations, investment programmes, skills development, community partnerships, and sustainability initiatives. This value was created through 197 measured indicators, reflecting GWR’s commitment to ensuring the railway is not only a means of transport, but a force for positive social change.
Investing in people and skills
Investment in people and skills remained a key priority throughout the year. GWR created 386 new jobs, with opportunities reaching young people and individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds, while 89.3% of colleagues and apprentices live within 25 miles of their workplace, helping to support local economies.
The company maintained its industry-leading apprenticeship programme, supporting 314 apprentices and achieving a 97.9% completion rate, significantly above national benchmarks. In addition, colleagues completed 716,022 hours of workplace training, while 6,929 young people benefited from educational and safety programmes designed to build skills, confidence, and awareness of future careers.
Improving accessibility and inclusion
GWR also continued to invest heavily in accessibility, inclusion, and customer support. During the year, GWR delivered 384,634 Passenger Assist journeys, helping disabled and older customers travel with confidence, while 4,918 people were supported through Try a Train initiatives that encourage independent rail travel.
Customer satisfaction with assisted journeys remained high, with 88% of users satisfied with the service provided. Accessibility improvements, station enhancements, and inclusive design work have helped ensure more people can access the railway and the opportunities it provides.
Supporting communities across the network
Supporting communities remained central to GWR’s approach to social value. The company invested £1 million through our Customer and Community Improvement Fund, supporting local charities, schools, community groups, and Railway 200 projects across the network. GWR worked alongside 77 station adoption groups, whose 296 volunteers contributed more than 17,760 hours to improving station environments and strengthening community pride.
Colleagues and customers also demonstrated remarkable generosity, with £57,368 donated through payroll giving, additional fundraising support provided through company match funding, and thousands of people participating in community-based programmes that improve wellbeing, education, and employment opportunities.
Promoting safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding
Safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding continued to be areas of significant impact. GWR delivered 36,006 hours of safety talks, maintained Secure Station accreditation at 93% of stations, and recorded 732 safeguarding interventions, including 72 interventions that helped prevent potential suicides.
The company also expanded mental health support, training 103 Mental Health First Aiders and strengthening wellbeing initiatives across the business to support both colleagues and customers. These activities reflect GWR’s commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive, and more supportive railway for everyone.
Supporting a more sustainable future
Alongside these social achievements, GWR continued its journey towards a more sustainable future. The business spent £60 million with small and medium-sized enterprises, supported local supply chains, maintained zero waste to landfill, and progressed innovative decarbonisation projects, including our world-record battery train trial.
Through investment in communities, people, accessibility, safety, and environmental innovation, GWR continues to demonstrate how rail can connect people to opportunity, strengthen local economies, and deliver lasting benefits for current and future generations.