Lisa Yeoman

Said the following about Sheree Whetren:

“During Lockdown, 2020, Sheree Whetren became concerned about the mental health of the local community. She decided to use children’s art to bring some cheer to those who used the station. She made links with local schools to arrange numerous art competitions, which reflected historical and cultural events and encouraged families to take healthy walks to the station to view the colourful displays.

The art spanned themes such as Remembrance Day, Christmas, Easter, VE Day and, perhaps the best received, ‘Faces of Hope’. Families who had been stuck indoors made trips to the station, and those isolating saw it on social media. This brought much joy to the whole community and forged links with Berrywood Primary School.

Sheree arranged Rail Safety talks for six classes and donated books to each child and the school library. She has also organised a permanent art installation at the station, painted by the children of Berrywood, to encourage train users to ‘Be kind’ and ‘Act Safe’.

The small station has now become a real community hub and Sheree is a local celebrity. The children are badgering their parents to go on train trips and imparting their rail safety knowledge to their wider family. Sheree has also raised over £1100 for Action for children for children’s Mental Health services, she has also raised over £800 in a day to buy an art studio for a local 9 year old girl who was given detestation news regarding her fight for cancer, and is now raising funds for a defibrillator for the community. Sheree has also raised over 630 gifts for the elderly last Christmas. Sheree was concerned that the elderly in the community had to self-isolate and wouldn’t see their loved ones and families. So Sheree got the community and SWR colleagues to add an extra gift to their shopping list and wrap these to be then delivered to various churches, care homes and adult services.

Sheree is an outstanding individual who tirelessly goes above and beyond for anyone she comes across. We, as a community are very pleased that Sheree took the job at the station 2 years ago. She has set up a Facebook page for the station and regularly receives so much praise. Sheree deserves some recognition for what she does.“