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Monday 15 Jan 2024

Network Rail’s Southern region is beating the Monday blues this ‘Brew Monday’ by hosting a pop-up at London Waterloo and Guildford stations in partnership with Samaritans

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Wessex

Today (Monday 15 January), Network Rail and Samaritans will be reminding everyone to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with people they care about.

While people are contending with winter weather, the post-Christmas slump, and the cost-of-living pressures Network Rail’s Southern region is keen to reiterate there’s no such thing as the saddest day of the year, also known as ‘Blue Monday’.

Samaritans has long campaigned to dispel the idea the third Monday of January is particularly difficult, as it could discourage people from seeking life-changing help.

The suicide prevention charity’s listening volunteers are consistently busy every day of the year, responding to a call for help every 10 seconds, which is why it is working with the rail industry to turn the day into something useful by running Brew Monday.

The annual event encourages friends and family to stay connected by having a cuppa and a catch up, and this year is no different.

To help celebrate and raise awareness of Brew Monday, Network Rail staff are being joined by Samaritans volunteers at London Waterloo station today (15 January) from 5pm-7pm where they are handing out teabags and chatting to passengers about the power of connecting over a cuppa. They will also be at Guildford station from 7am-10am and again at 3.30pm-6pm.

Alongside this, several digital posters are being put up around Southern managed stations including London Bridge, London Victoria, London Charing Cross and Cannon Street stations.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s managing director for Southern region, said: “We’re really proud to be supporting Samaritans’ Brew Monday campaign again this year and spreading this important message to our passengers and colleagues.

“Samaritans has worked in partnership with Network Rail and the wider rail industry since 2010 encouraging everyone to recognise the power of human connection and start a conversation which could save a life.

“So, we’re putting that into practice and helping to bust the Blue Monday myth over a brew.”

Olivia Cayley, head of Samaritans Rail Programme, said: “At Samaritans we know there is no such thing as Blue Monday and people can feel low at any point of the week or year.

“Perpetuating ‘Blue Monday’ may put off reaching for life-changing help if they think everyone else is also feeling down.

“It could also lead people to think they ought to be feeling sad, or believe other people are in worse situations. We do not want anyone to dismiss or minimise the challenging issues they’re facing.  

“We want everyone to know that you are never alone and even small moments of human connection like this can play a big role in helping people who are currently struggling.”

“We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year.

“Our volunteers are available around the clock to listen to anyone who needs support this Brew Monday and every other day of the year, 24/7.”

Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s customer and commercial director, commented: “While ‘Blue Monday’ is a myth, connecting with friends and family over a cuppa is an ideal way to help look after one another, and combat the winter blues.

“SWR colleagues will be supporting Samaritans at stations across our network again this year, and we warmly invite customers to say hello and have a chat over a nice brew.”  

The Brew Monday support comes as part of the rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and partnership with Network Rail.

Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police to reduce suicides on the railway for over 10 years and has trained over 28,000 rail and BTP staff to look out for passengers and make conversation if they feel someone might be vulnerable.

To help organise Brew Monday get togethers, Samaritans have provided useful resources, fundraising tips, and information, available at www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/

Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, any time from any phone on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org