'You have the skills to save a life', says Pendle Samaritans

A Samaritans survey shows only half of the nation feel confident approaching someone they are concerned about in public.

So, to boost public confidence, Samaritans’ Small Talk Saves Lives campaign in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police relaunches to empower the public to trust their instincts and start a conversation which could be lifesaving.

A new campaign film reassures the public that a little small talk like ‘where can I get a coffee?’ can set someone on a path to recovery:

Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale, and Craven Samaritans is reminding the public that we all have the potential to be lifesavers by simply striking up a conversation, as part of the charity’s latest Small Talk Saves Lives campaign.

The new campaign comes after new research from Samaritans revealed that only 50% of UK adults said they would feel confident approaching and speaking to someone they don’t know if they were concerned about them in public. The survey also suggested that we’re more comfortable behind a screen as a nation, as people would much prefer chatting to someone they don’t know on the phone (33%) or by email (18%), compared to face-to-face (9%).

Of those who said they wouldn’t feel confident approaching someone they don’t know, the top reasons holding them back were ‘worrying the person wouldn’t welcome their approach’ (44%) and ‘worrying they’d make things worse’ (29%), whilst a quarter said ‘not knowing what to say’ was also a concern.

So, Samaritans has relaunched its Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry, to empower the public to trust their instincts and start a conversation if they think someone needs help on the railways or in other public settings. As part of the launch, a new film across digital and social media reassures the public that a little small talk like ‘where can I get a coffee?’ can be all it takes to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts and help set them on a path to recovery.

Pendle Samaritans recently went to local Railway stations to promote the campaign, where they chatted with members of the public, and handed out information and cards with the Samaritans contact details on.

Dale Hannah, Branch Director, knows the importance of talking and listening which could help save a life. He said:

"Apparently research shows that 96% of Brits will have spoken about the weather in the last six hours. I think it’s fair to say the British are generally very good at small talk. When you bear in mind that small talk can save lives, despite how difficult you may find it, it is a hugely important thing to do. Try it, you might just save a life."

Launched in 2017, Small Talk Saves Lives was developed after research showed the positive part the public could play in suicide prevention. The campaign is backed by suicide prevention expert Dr Lisa Marzano from Middlesex University.

Dr Lisa said: “In our latest research we spoke to those who had made and received interventions themselves and they really echoed the main Small Talk Saves Lives message. We heard how powerful it can be to use small talk or to ask simple questions, in a calm manner. We also found reassuring results around teamwork and the fact that you don’t have to manage this alone – you could speak to a member of staff or call 999 in an emergency too.”

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