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Monday 17 Jan 2022

Network Rail and GTR support Samaritans’ Brew Monday in Stevenage

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Coast

• Network Rail, GTR and Samaritans have teamed up at Stevenage station for Brew Monday (17 January)
• Volunteers offered teabags and spoke to station users about the importance of reaching out

Network Rail has teamed up with Samaritans volunteers and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) workers at Stevenage station to encourage passengers to talk over a cuppa this Brew Monday (17 January).

Volunteers offered teabags and spoke to Stevenage station users, including key workers and rail staff, about the importance of reaching out. The Brew Monday support comes as part of the rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and partnership with Network Rail.

Louise Cox, Head of Safety, Health and Environment for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: “We’re proud to be joining GTR and the wider rail industry in supporting Samaritans’ Brew Monday once again. After a tough few years, it’s more important than ever that we take the time to connect with others – whether that’s a cuppa with a colleague or a friendly chat with a fellow passenger.

“Our longstanding partnership has helped thousands of colleagues learn how to use small talk to save lives.”

Whilst the third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’, the charity is highlighting that there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ as Samaritans volunteers hear similar concerns all year round from those that contact the charity. The main concerns include mental health and illness (46%), family (34%) and loneliness (28%) *.

Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP) to reduce suicides on the railway for over 10 years, having trained over 24,000 rail and BTP staff to look out for passengers and make conversation if they feel someone might be vulnerable.

Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley said: “We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year. Throughout the various lockdowns and restrictions, the pandemic has shown us that staying connected with others has been a vital part of getting people through difficult times. We know the impact talking and listening can have, and a cup of tea and a chat won’t solve everything, but it can be a start. You don’t have to have all the answers or solutions, you just need to listen and start a conversation which could just be the support that someone needs.”

Samantha Facey, Head of Zero Harm at GTR says: “The last two years have been incredibly tough for many of us. A cup of tea and a chat might seem simple, but it can make a huge difference to someone who is vulnerable or struggling. 

“January can be a difficult time for many, with festive celebrations over and the weather turning colder, which is why we feel it is so important for us to reach out to passengers and those travelling through GTR stations. We are also encouraging our colleagues to share a cuppa together and check in on each another over the winter period.”

Find out more at samaritans.org/brewmonday or join the conversation on social media using #BrewMonday and why not make a donation while you’re there, you could help save a life.  

ENDS