Network Rail’s Wales and Borders route joins Samaritans to remind public small talk is no small thing

Samaritans’ Small Talk Saves Lives campaign launches as 48% of people in Wales admit to swerving someone they don’t know to avoid small talk.

Network Rail has joined Samaritans, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry to remind the public that small talk can be lifesaving as part of Samaritans’ Small Talk Saves Lives campaign.

New findings released by Samaritans today reveal that almost half of adults in Wales avoid engaging with someone they don’t know to avoid small talk – while 31% are worried they would say the wrong thing when engaging with someone.

But small talk is no small thing and we are all better at it than we think. Although 94% of Welsh adults say they don’t have a go-to question to start small talk, 64% have used small talk in their personal lives over the past month, and over one in two often or always use small talk in their professional lives.

Small Talk Saves Lives empowers the public to trust their instincts and start a conversation if they think someone needs help in railway stations and other public settings. The campaign reassures the public that a little small talk like ‘do you know where I can grab a cuppa?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and could help set them on the journey to recovery. People might worry that they will say the wrong thing, but saying something is better than saying nothing.

With one in three adults in Wales confessing to not knowing what to say to initiate conversation through small talk, Samaritans is calling on people across the UK to give it a go, as a simple comment about the weather could be all it takes to save someone’s life.

Bessie knows how powerful small talk can be. While working as a train guard, she spotted someone in need of help. She said: “Just that one little bit of positive small talk can go so far. They caught my eye because it was a lot of, flitting around, looking around, looking at their phone. Deep down, you have got all that adrenaline going and you’re thinking, ‘what should I say?’ I had found something about what they were wearing, and it was a case of just going over and saying, “Oh, my goodness, I absolutely love what you’re wearing. Where have you got that from?” It was just a short, sharp answer of “I don’t know.” That’s when you can kind of edge your way in to say, “Are you okay?”. Just that one little bit of positive small talk and it can go so far. It was a positive outcome. Take that chance because it is the most important and pivotal thing you could do.”

Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley said, “Every day, there are people across Great Britain who are in distress and need support. Our Small Talk Saves Lives campaign empowers people to trust their instincts and have the confidence to act in a way that could save a life. To mark the start of the four-week campaign, we are launching our Small Talk Salon at London’s King’s Cross railway station today, seeing our remarkable volunteers raise awareness of the campaign, whilst encouraging commuters to pluck up the courage to use small talk, to support those in need of help.”

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: ”The Small Talk Saves Lives campaign has shown us how we each have the skills to genuinely help someone in distress. I am ever so proud of our relationship with Samaritans and British Transport Police and hope this next stage of the campaign continues to help educate and inform people that small talk can be lifesaving.”

British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable, Paul Furnell said: “We remain committed to protecting vulnerable people across the network. Our experience tells us that engaging in conversation at the right time can make all the difference. This campaign continues to encourage us all to try a little small talk, but if you don’t feel comfortable or safe to intervene, 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