Media centre

Tuesday 21 Feb 2023

West Midlands stations support Samaritans' Small Talk Saves Lives

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Three major railway stations in the West Midlands are backing Samaritans’ latest campaign, with volunteers on hand this February to show passengers how a little small talk could save someone’s life.

The new Small Talk Saves Lives campaign comes after latest research from Samaritans revealed that 50% of people in the West Midlands wouldn’t feel confident approaching and speaking to someone they don’t know if they were concerned about them in public.

People in the West Midlands thought that the best ways to strike up conversation with a stranger would be:

• Give them a smile (37%)
• Say ‘Excuse me’ (29%)
• Make eye contact (26%)
• Ask a question (17%)
• Make a comment about the weather (20%)

Network Rail and Samaritans volunteers will be on hand at events across the country throughout February and March to speak to passengers about the new campaign, highlight the power of conversation and provide myth busting leaflets to give people the confidence to approach people who might need help.

Volunteers will be at:

• Banbury station on Tuesday 21 February
• Stafford station on Thursday 23 February
• Birmingham New Street station on Saturday 25 February

Steven Ireland, Network Rail’s Central route head of stations and customer relations, said: “We’re really proud to be working alongside Samaritans volunteers to empower our passengers to look out for one another and have the confidence to strike up a conversation if someone needs support.

“If you’re travelling through one of the stations, please stop and have a chat with our volunteers.”

Samaritans is launching an emotional campaign film today (Tuesday 21 February) in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry to reassure the public that a little small talk like ‘where can I get a coffee?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and help set them on a path to recovery. 

 

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.

“We know it’s been a really challenging time for people’s mental health over the last few years, so we hope the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign builds that confidence and remind the public of the difference they can make. Let’s continue to look out for one another – it could save a life.”

For more information and tips, visit Samaritans.org/smalltalksaveslives or join the conversation on social media using #SmallTalkSavesLives