Swindon Samaritans is encouraging commuters at train stations to act if they notice someone who may be at risk.

A new phase of the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, launched by Samaritans in partnership with British Transport Police, Network Rail and the wider rail industry, is emphasising how each of us has all the experience we need to help save a life.

The campaign was developed after research showed that passengers could have a key role to play along with the thousands of rail staff and British Transport Police now trained by Samaritans in suicide prevention.

Samaritans volunteer, Darren Tee runs the Swindon Samaritans branch.

He said: “Suicide is preventable and any one of us could have an opportunity to save a life.

"A phrase as simple as ‘I can’t believe this weather’ could be enough to interrupt a person’s suicidal thoughts.

"Even if small talk doesn’t come naturally to you, if something doesn’t feel right, please try to start a conversation. There’s no evidence you’ll make things worse.”

Find out more about Small Talk Saves Lives at https://www.samaritans.org/media-centre/our-campaigns/small-talk-saves-lives

You can also support the campaign by following @samaritanscharity on Instagram or sharing the video on Twitter (@samaritans) or Facebook (facebook.com/samaritanscharity) using the hashtag #SmallTalkSavesLives

From the Swindon Advertiser:

Great Western Railway is teaming up with the Samaritans to support Brew Monday on January 20.

The third Monday of January is often known as Blue Monday, the most difficult day of the year, so the railway company is inviting staff and customers to have a cuppa and a chat to beat the winter blues.

Brew Monday events will be held at offices, stations and depots across the GWR network to help spread the message that it’s okay not to be okay.

Samaritans volunteers will be at 11 stations, including Swindon's, handing out free tea bags and listening tips to get customers talking and listening better.

The event could IMHO have been better titled. On reading the thread title, my first thought was about the brewing of beer, I was expecting something on the lines of supporting local breweries!

That's obviously the way your mind works*, Broadgage.

* Mine did, too!

Leeds train station will be filled with therapy dogs on Blue Monday

The 'most depressing day of the year' comes back around next week - but help is on hand in the form of four legs and a tail.

Northern has teamed up with Pets As Therapy to bring some four-legged, waggy-tailed unbridled joy to Leeds commuters over lunchtime on Blue Monday on January 20.

Pets As Therapy is a national charity where dogs and their owners visit public places to uplift people in need of a mood boost or a short-term relief from mental health struggles.

Hospitals, hospices, care homes, schools and prisons all benefit from the company of the animals.

"We'll have around 10 patient pooches all open to strokes, cuddles and petting, and all on hand to give our customers a little lift as they face Blue Monday."

He added: "One of our conductors at Leeds works with Pets As Therapy - and has two dogs of her own - and by inviting the dogs onto the station we can not only help our customers, we can support and highlight the fantastic work of the charity."

The dogs will be at the station from around 11am to 2pm and will be at the concourse near to the main ticket windows.

Is there a list of the 11 GWR stations taking part in this anywhere? Unless I'm missing something, I can't find one on GWR's press release or anywhere on the web.

To help celebrate and raise awareness, GWR staff will be joining Samaritans volunteers at the following stations, handing out teabags and chatting to passengers about the power of connecting over a cuppa:

Barnstaple
Bath Spa
Cheltenham Spa
Chippenham
Didcot Parkway
Exeter St Davids
Gloucester
Kemble
London Paddington
Newton Abbot
Oxford
Penzance
Plymouth
Reading
Truro

Samaritans offer 'Brew Monday' chats at railway stations

[Image from here is not available to guests]
Samaritan volunteers were at Newton Abbot train station

Samaritan volunteers have been at railway stations to encourage people to talk about feelings.

Members of the south Devon branch were in Newton Abbot, and more volunteers were at Cornwall's Truro station, to talk to passers-by and remind them to "reach out" to people they cared about for a cup of tea and a catch-up.

The charity said there was no such thing as Blue Monday - considered to be the third Monday in January and said to be the most depressing day of the year. It said "feeling low isn't just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January".

It renamed the day Brew Monday to "remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make".

Robert Langdon, from the charity, said at this time of year people did not know how "low and depressed" others might be. "It's good to catch-up with people who are on their own and talk to them about things that are going on in their life."

He said the volunteers were available on the phone on 116 123 for anyone who needed to talk, adding not to be reluctant to ring them if they were "struggling".

"We're here to give a listening ear to someone going through a difficult period of their life," Langdon added.

19th February

Connect and chat on the Chatty Bus, in partnership with Oxford Hospitals Charity and Age UK Oxfordshire!
Feeling lonely, looking for a friendly chat, or just wanting to brighten your day? Join our Chatty Bus event!

Friendly volunteers from Thames Travel, Oxford Hospitals Charity and Age UK Oxfordshire will be on board the X32 service from 09:00 to 14:30, ready to spark conversations and make introductions. We'll have conversation starters and information about local activities and social groups to suit all interests.

Here's what you can expect:
Friendly volunteers will be on board the X32 bus to chat and make introductions.
Conversation starters, light games, and information about local activities.

This event is perfect for:
Concessionary bus pass holders looking to socialise.
Anyone who is feeling lonely or isolated and wants to connect with others.
People of all ages who love exploring Oxford by bus and would like to chat to others.