GTR runs four ‘Brew Trains’ with Samaritans to get people talking over a cuppa on Brew Monday

The UK’s largest train operator, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), has once again partnered with Samaritans to challenge the Blue Monday myth by encouraging customers and colleagues to reach out to loved ones this month, as part of the charity’s annual Brew Monday campaign.

Brew Monday was coined by Samaritans to dispel the idea the third Monday in January is “the most difficult day of the year”. Instead, the charity uses the moment to raise awareness about how getting in touch with someone could help save a life.

To mark Brew Monday, GTR ran four specially named ‘Brew Trains’ yesterday morning (19 January), which saw three services travel to London Blackfriars and one to Brighton. Volunteers from the rail operator, Samaritans and suicide prevention charity, The Jordan Legacy, handed out teabags, biscuits and leaflets to some 4,240 passengers to inspire them to catch up with family and friends over a cuppa.

For the last two years, GTR has supported Samaritans’ campaign with a dedicated ‘Brew Train’ from Peterborough to London. To spread the positive message to more customers this year, GTR added three additional ‘Brew Trains’ and hosted an engagement stand with Samaritans and suicide prevention charity, Andy’s Man Club, at London Blackfriars station.

GTR partners, Luton Town Football Club and Stevenage Football Club, also showed their support for Brew Monday. Luton Town’s first-team manager and former England player, Jack Wilshere, starred in a special video encouraging people to start conversations around mental health, which can be viewed below and on the Hatters’ Instagram page. Academy players from Stevenage Football Club joined Samaritans volunteers at Stevenage station to talk to travellers about the campaign.

GTR’s Safeguarding Manager, Rebecca Butler, said: “We’re grateful we had the opportunity to work with Samaritans again to encourage customers and colleagues to start a conversation and ask whether someone is ok. It could be someone stood on a platform or a friend or colleague you haven’t heard from in a while. Taking the time to reach out to them could make a huge difference to their day. Let’s start this year on the right foot by putting some time aside to listen to each other.

“We encouraged our colleagues to get involved with Brew Monday by taking some time to pause and connect with each other, whether that’s having lunch together or going on a walk, there’s plenty of ways we can look out for others.”

Daisy Wilson, Regional Development Lead at Samaritans, said: “This Brew Monday we encouraged everyone to put the kettle on and remember how important a bit of human connection is and what a difference it can make to people’s wellbeing. And we’re so grateful to the rail industry for supporting our campaign and helping us to spread this message.

“Our volunteers are busy all year round answering a call for help every 10 seconds, so we know people can find things tough at any time and there’s no such thing as the ‘worst day of the year’. It’s vital that we all take the time to check in on each other every day.

“So, let’s pop on those kettles, break out those bourbons, and turn small talk into big talk. It might just save someone’s life.”

In addition to the ‘Brew Trains’, people looking for support could talk to Samaritans volunteers who were at the following stations yesterday:

• Stevenage
• Bedford
• Luton
• Denmark Hill
• Finsbury Park
• St Albans
• London Blackfriars
• Three Bridges
• Chichester
• Redhill
• East Croydon
• Barnham
• West Hampstead
• Streatham Common
• Crowborough
• East Grinstead
• Bexhill
• Horsham
• Hitchin
• Ashwell & Morden

To find out more about Samaritans’ Brew Monday campaign, visit Brew Monday 2026 | #BrewMonday |There's always time for a cuppa and a catch-up.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

The ‘Brew Trains’ were the following services which departed yesterday:

• 09.23 from Peterborough to London Blackfriars
• 09.32 from Bedford to London Blackfriars
• 09.33 from Chichester to Brighton
• 10.58 from Brighton to London Blackfriars
  

Luton Town FC and Stevenage FC participated in GTR’s Brew Monday as part of the ongoing partnership between GTR and the football clubs.

Andy’s Man Club is a suicide prevention charity which aims to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.

The Jordan Legacy was founded in 2020, in memory of Jordan Phillip, who took his own life in December 2019. The charity wants to reduce the frequency of suicides and improve mental wellbeing at work and in society.

Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, 24/7, 365 days a year, on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org