With Samaritans annual “Brew Monday” campaign coming up later this month, Great Western Railway and Network Rail are encouraging their customers and colleagues to support it by taking time out for a cuppa.

The third Monday of January is often associated with being a difficult time for some people, but Samaritans has long campaigned to dispel that idea as it could discourage them from seeking help that could change their life.

Samaritans listening volunteers are always busy throughout the year, receiving a call for help every 10 seconds, and is why it once again this year it is working with the rail industry to turn the third Monday of January into something by designating next Monday, 15 January, as running Brew Monday.

Brew Monday is part of the rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and partnership with Network Rail. During the last ten years, Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police to reduce suicides on the railway, and has trained over 28,000 colleagues to look out for passengers and offer help if they think someone could be vulnerable.

GWR staff will be joining Samaritans volunteers at the following stations to hand out teabags and chat to passengers about connecting over a cuppa: Barnstaple, Bath Spa, Cheltenham Spa, Chippenham, Didcot Parkway, Exeter St David’s, Gloucester, Kemble, London Paddington, Newton Abbot, Oxford, Penzance, Plymouth, Reading, Truro,

People and Transformation Director (Regional) for GWR and Network Rail Wales and Western, Ruth Busby, said: “We’re really proud to be supporting Samaritans’ Brew Monday campaign again this year and spreading this important message to our passengers and staff.

Anyone can get in touch with Samaritans, free, at any time from any phone on 116 123, or email [email protected] or at www.samaritans.org,

“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.

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

Head of Samaritans Rail Programme, Olivia Cayley, 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.”