Follow in the footsteps of two Midlands creatives and experience the Manchester to Buxton railway line through the Creative Journeys Activity Leaflets, developed during a unique rail residency.
No Jobs in the Arts CIC, working with High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership, Avanti West Coast and Northern Trains, have developed two playful activity leaflets for passengers to enjoy on their journey along the Manchester to Buxton Railway Line.
Developed through a dedicated creative rail residency, the leaflets follow the journeys of two Midlands-based disabled early-career creatives, River Glade and Alice Hackney. Each creative spent time travelling along the line between Stockport and Buxton, exploring the stations, towns, and changing landscapes where the railway meets the edges of the Peak District National Park.
The two activity leaflets are unique and offer alternative activities, so passengers can follow in the footsteps of the creatives before them. The leaflets are available throughout Spring and Summer 2026. The leaflets are Riso printed by Dizzy Ink using a sustainable, eco-friendly printing method.
How to Access the Leaflets
The two activity leaflets are unique and offer alternative activities, so passengers can follow in the footsteps of the creatives before them. Both leaflets are also available as a free digital download for anyone to download and print at home, or follow along on your phone.
A screen reader friendly .docx version of Alice and River’s leaflet is also available for download.
Alice Hackney’s leaflet invites passengers to engage with their senses and document what they notice, feel, hear, see, smell and learn along the way, turning each journey into a mindful act of observation. Available to download here.
River Glade’s leaflet explores the stories of our waterways, and the small details found along the line, drawing on stories of Arnemetia, Buxton’s goddess of water and healing, inviting travellers to imagine their protective spirit for their journey. Available to download here.
Celebrating 200 Years of Rail Heritage
The Creative Journey’s project was created to support disabled and neurodivergent early-career creatives across the Midlands and inspire passengers to travel by train and engage creatively with the places they pass through. The enclosed activities engage passengers in local histories and stories, and offer gentle, mindful prompts that may help to ease travel anxiety, while encouraging new ways of connecting with the Buxton line.
Printed leaflets are now available and free to pick up at stations along the line and in local venues, including Buxton and Stockport railway stations.
‘We are pleased to celebrate the two-hundredth anniversary of the modern railways by supporting early career creatives to inspire people of all ages to take the train along the scenic Buxton line. Stockport station is a great starting point for the journey and there are so many places to visit. We are excited to see passengers taking these new activity booklets onto the trains and look forward to welcoming many more visitors to the area.’
— Helen Wright, Community Rail Partnership Officer, High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership
Support Our Print Projects
A limited number of printed leaflets are available. If you would like both leaflets sent to you, you can donate £5, and we will post a set your way!
Your donation helps us continue creating professional development opportunities for early career creatives.
DONATE:
Make a £5 donation via Paypal and receive both leaflets.
