'Volunteering reminds me I'm more than a mum'

"Volunteering as a station adopter reminds me that I exist outside of being a mother."

Maddie Claxton is a single mother of two and has looked after the maintenance of Bulwell railway station in Nottingham for the past four years.

She is the youngest person in the role at East Midlands Railway (EMR), and was recently awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Contribution prize at this year's Community Rail Awards.

Before this, the 33-year-old full-time mum said she had "little to no life" outside of looking after her children and the activity had given her a "new purpose".

Miss Claxton looks after the station by keeping the area clear of litter, weeding and planting new flowers in the green spaces alongside working on other projects aiming to improve the space.

She said: "I drop the girls off at school, collect equipment that I need like spades, shovels and gloves, and get to work."

However, her days used to look very different four years ago.

She recalled feeling "lonely and isolated" when she moved to Nottingham from Lincolnshire.

Then, Miss Claxton said she had to look after her children, who have special needs, on her own.

She said: "It was such a difficult time, I thought, what on earth do I do now?

"SEND children require all of your attention, and I couldn't have a job while looking after them.

"I just felt lost. My only role was to be their mum, and I lost who I was as a person, with no hobbies or passions."

But her life took a turn for the better when she met a former station adopter, who told her about the role.

"I have always loved trains, and was fascinated by Thomas the Tank Engine as a kid and other steam trains," she added.

"Initially I thought, what am I doing here? Am I making a difference? But I grew to love it, and I've met friends along the way.

"It has become a space for me to relax and be myself.

"It gives me a purpose - I become more than just the mother of my children."

Winning the EMR award came as a "shock" to Miss Claxton.

"I was questioning whether I deserved it and if I had done enough. To have won something like this is amazing - I am so pleased," she said.

She does not plan on stopping any time soon, and encourages others to apply for volunteer roles at their local stations.

"When you think of a station adopter, you might not think of a person like me, but it is for people of all ages," she said.

"I love to be different, and I don't follow the crowd."

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