Great Western Railway and Network Rail are collaborating with Samaritans to help bust the ‘Blue Monday’ myth.

Great Western Railway and Network Rail have designed ‘Blueming Marvellous Monday’ to eliminate the idea of the ‘Blue Monday’, the third Monday of January is marked as the most difficult day of the year.

Rail colleagues at Reading Station have been handing out blue wooden roses and asking customers to ‘Tell us what makes you smile’.

Samaritans’ annual Brew Monday campaign will be supported by stations across the network. The campaign encourages people to stay in touch and catch up.

Great Western Railway colleagues will be joining Samaritans volunteers at stations across the Network, including Truro, Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, Exmouth, Dawlish, Tiverton Parkway, Okehampton and Slough.

The Brew Monday support is part of the suicide prevention programme and partnership with Network Rail.

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

Ruth Busby, people and transformation director (regional) for GWR and Network Rail Wales and Western, said: “We’re trying to brighten up everyone’s day. Forget about it being the so-called saddest day of the year – Blueming Marvellous Monday is designed to put a smile on our customers’ faces.

“Our colleagues across GWR and Network Rail were keen to do something positive to support Brew Monday, and this aligns well with Samaritans’ own campaign this year, which turns the idea of ‘Blue Monday’ on its head and encourages people to reach out and chat every day of the year.

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

Shona Gibbs, acting head of rail at Samaritans, said: “We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year. 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.

“So, Brew Monday, combined with GWR and NR’s idea of a ‘Blueming Marvellous Monday’ this January, provides passengers with an extra portion of positivity!

“We want everyone to know that you are never alone and we’re encouraging them to check in with people they care about for a cuppa and a chat as talking can save lives. 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.”

As well as conversing with passengers at Reading station, GWR and Network Rail colleagues are hitting the high notes alongside Winnie the Wellbeing Piano, with Railway Mission Chaplain for the South West of England, John Roe, tinkling the ivories.