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Tuesday 4 Mar 2025

“Your words are a lifesaving kit” say East Midlands rail partners and Samaritans

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Network Rail’s East Midlands route is joining forces with Samaritans and British Transport Police (BTP) to remind the public that a simple conversation could save a life.

• New research shows more than two-thirds of people (68%) would welcome supportive words when struggling to cope
• Campaign launches across East Midlands stations to encourage lifesaving conversations
• Series of public events planned across the region throughout March

The Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, launched in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police, comes as research reveals nearly half of people (47%) avoid approaching someone who appears to be struggling, despite 50% of adults saying they sometimes find it difficult to cope themselves.

Network Rail staff and Samaritans volunteers will be hosting a series of engagement events across East Midlands stations:

• Derby station: Tuesday 25 March, 8am to 6pm
• Nottingham station: Thursday 20 March, 3pm to 6pm
• Bedford station: Saturday 8 March, 11am to 2pm
• Flitwick station: Tuesday 4 March, 7am to 10am
• Elstree & Borehamwood station, Thursday 13 March, 5pm to 7pm

Additional events are being planned for Leicester, Lincoln, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway and St Albans City, with dates to be confirmed.

Hayley Weiss, community safety manager for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “Whether you’re a passenger or railway staff member, this campaign reminds us all that small talk can be lifesaving. Taking a moment to start a conversation could make all the difference to someone in need of support."

Olivia Cayley, head of the rail programme at Samaritans, said: "We know that people can worry about saying the wrong thing or feel like it's not their place to step in, but it's always better to say something than to say nothing at all.

“A little small talk and a simple question like ‘Hey, are you all right?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s negative thoughts.”

Small Talk Saves Lives builds on the wider rail industry’s suicide prevention programme, which has seen Samaritans – in partnership with Network Rail – train over 31,000 rail staff and British Transport Police in suicide prevention, enabling them to identify and support people in need of help.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan, BTP, said: “Our number one priority is to protect vulnerable people from harm, and with just a few words you can help us. From experience, we know that making small talk at the right time can really be enough to save someone’s life, but if you don’t feel comfortable or safe to intervene, please tell a member of rail staff or a police officer. You can text British Transport Police on 61016 or call 999.”

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