We unveiled our Ticket to Talk display at London Waterloo station on Thursday 5 March 2026, in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police.
The dramatic installation features 2,284 physical train tickets — representing the small everyday phrases that were used around the rail network in the last year to help save a life.
Ticket to Talk forms part of the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, which encourages people to start a conversation if they think someone might be struggling. You don’t need special training. You don’t need the perfect words. A brief exchange can interrupt overwhelming thoughts and help someone feel seen.
The tickets
Ticket to Talk - "Where are you travelling to?"
Each of 2,284 tickets features a short phrase. The kind of everyday words many of us use without thinking:
- "Hey, are you alright?"
- "Lovely weather, isn't it?"
- "What's going on mate?"
- "Where are you travelling to?"
- "Are you OK?"
On their own, they may seem ordinary. Together, they represent thousands of moments where someone chose to say something rather than walk past.
Research released alongside the campaign found that while many people worry about saying the wrong thing, most say they would appreciate kind words from a stranger if they were visibly upset.
Small talk isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about noticing someone and opening the door to conversation.
Stories behind the display
Ticket to Talk shares the real-life stories of John, Grace-Anne and Keith, who all saved lives by making small talk and starting a conversation with someone who didn’t look OK.
I was out cycling one day when I saw a man who looked visibly upset and as though he might be thinking of taking his own life. A woman had already stopped and was talking to him when I arrived. I introduced myself, asked his name, and said “What’s going on mate?” to try and understand what had brought him to that point
Small Talk Saves Lives
If you’re passing through London Waterloo between Thursday 5 to Tuesday 10 March 2026, why not take a moment to visit the Ticket to Talk display and read a few of the tickets?
They might give you some ideas for starting a conversation with somebody who needs your help.