On Thursday 7 June 2018, Women in Rail held its third annual Big Rail Diversity Challenge and welcomed 570 Industry delegates from across the sector to Peterborough Arena.
A cross between “It’s a Knockout” and “Krypton Factor”, The Big Rail Diversity Challenge provided participants with an opportunity to network, team build and fundraise whilst undertaking fun gender balanced team challenges.
The event has grown by a staggering 75% since its launch just two years ago and has truly captured the hearts and minds of the industry – which demonstrates how serious rail is about improving gender diversity and supporting the brilliant work that Women in Rail undertakes.
Following feedback discussions after last year’s event, challenges were developed to accommodate people with disabilities / special requirements in mind to ensure that the event is as inclusive as possible.
Launched to promote the aims of Women in Rail, The Big Rail Diversity Challenge provides a range of skill-based, physically and mentally demanding challenges from Archery to Escape Room, Laser Quest to inflatable Volleyball, scaling the Twin Peaks to Zumba, Hovercraft skills to mind boggling Quizzes and Surf Simulators to Blindfolded Face Painting – with the aim to show that gender diverse teams work better together.
“The Big Rail Diversity Challenge is an important step in the rail industry agenda. It openly tackles rail’s outdated image, demonstrates that the industry is not afraid to engage both men and women in equal measure and shows our sector’s commitment to improving gender balance and diversity in order to create a more attractive, productive and successful industry,” said Adeline Ginn, founder of Women in Rail.
The event was opened by Malcolm Brown, CEO Angel Trains and board member for Women in Rail London. Malcolm commented: ‘What a truly inspirational event the Big Rail Diversity Challenge is, to see so many colleagues from the industry there, working together, enjoying themselves, I would encourage all organisations and individuals to get involved in this and other Women in Rail events.”
Support came in all forms, with members of the British Transport Police, Royal Air Force, British Army Royal Engineers, and members from rail industry charities, Railway Benefit Fund and Railway Children, providing challenges on the day.
The event closed with a fun award ceremony and acknowledgement was paid to teams who stood out in individual challenges, taking into consideration the highest scores earned, team effort, collaborative working and communication.