GTR supports Samaritans to raise awareness around the power of ‘hello’

• Rail operator joins wider industry to support Samaritans’ latest campaign

The UK’s largest rail operator is teaming up with the Samaritans and wider rail industry to show its support for the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign, which aims to empower the public to start a conversation that could help save a life.

New research from the charity reveals that just 50% of adults said they would feel confident approaching someone they were concerned about in public. To help increase this figure, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is hosting awareness events at selected stations across its network.

Along with volunteers from Samaritans, Network Rail and the British Transport Police, GTR representatives will be on-hand to talk to passengers, help myth-bust when it comes to approaching vulnerable people and help ease any concerns that the general public may have about this subject.

A little small talk and a simple question like “Hi, where can I get a coffee?” can be all it takes to interrupt someone's suicidal thoughts and could help set them on the journey to recovery.

Outreach days have already taken place at Angmering, East Croydon, Lewes and Luton, with more to follow until Friday, 17 March. Upcoming events are as follows:

Southern

• Three Bridges – Tuesday, 7 March (9am-4pm)
• Brighton – Thursday, 9 March (7am-11am, then 4pm-8pm)

Thameslink

• Bedford – Tuesday, 28 February (4pm-7pm) and Saturday, 4 March (11am-2pm)
• Flitwick – Wednesday, 8 March (7am-9am)

Great Northern

• St Neots – Wednesday, 1 March (7am-9am)
• Welwyn North – Thursday, 2 March (8am-10.30am)
• Stevenage – Tuesday, 7 March (7.30am-11am)
• Sandy – Friday, 10 March (7am-9am)
• Finsbury Park – Friday, 17 March (8am-12pm)

Laura Campbell, Suicide Prevention Manager at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “It’s great to be teaming up with our industry partners on the Small Talk Saves Lives initiative. The mental wellbeing of both staff and passengers is a year-round priority for GTR and this campaign gives us another opportunity remind people how to look out for one another, whilst equipping people with techniques to approach a potentially vulnerable person using the railway network.”

Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO, said: “It’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation with someone you don’t know in person, but at Samaritans we know first-hand how life-changing that conversation could be. Suicidal thoughts are often temporary and there’s no evidence to suggest that you will make the situation worse – it’s about trusting your instincts, starting a conversation, and showing you care.

“Let’s continue to look out for one another – it could save a life.”

GTR offers suicide prevention training to all employees in partnership with Samaritans, as well as its own e-learning modules on caring for the vulnerable. In addition, the operator provides trauma support training, counselling and access to wellbeing champions and Railway Chaplains.

To find out more about the Samaritans campaign, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives, or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives.

ENDS