Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans pleased to be part of The Big Listen

The Big Listen

Samaritans in Rochdale are asking commuters and visitors to improve their listening skills as part of the charity’s The Big Listen event at Rochdale Railway Station.

It’s all part of a nationwide push to raise awareness and funds for Samaritans, and at the same time show how really listening to another person can be the first step to saving a life, using its SHUSH listening tips:

• Show you care:  focus just on the other person, make eye contact, put away your phone
• Have patience:  it may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up
• Use open questions:  that need more than a yes/no answer, & follow up e.g. ‘Tell me more’
• Say it back:  to check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution
• Have courage:  don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t be  afraid to leave silence

Activity up and down the country will culminate in a marathon 24-hour event kicking off at midday on 24 July (24/7), chosen to reflect Samaritans’ emotional support services, which are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Funds raised by The Big Listen will help Samaritans keep its services free for anyone who needs them, and help recruit, train and support volunteers as well as run local branches across the UK. 

Volunteers from the Rochdale, Oldham and District branch will be at Rochdale Railway Station on the Tuesday 24 July from 7 to 10 am and 3 to 6 pm, offering the SHUSH listening tips as well as Samaritan cards with the Freephone number on it. 

Samaritans volunteer and Director of its Rochdale branch, Janet Murphy said: “We’ll be raising awareness of the support our volunteers provide and the outreach work that we do in the community. “Anyone can join in The Big Listen, just go to Samaritans’ website to find out more.”

Samaritans volunteers from 100 branches around the UK are holding events at 120 different stations for The Big Listen, with support in from British Transport Police and the wider rail industry.

Samaritans’ CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Three times more people die by suicide than from road accidents. Samaritans volunteers are trained to be good listeners, but this is a skill we can share and everyone can learn. Together we will save lives.”

Paul Plummer, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, representing the rail industry, said: “Together, Britain’s rail companies are proud to be welcoming Samaritans volunteers into stations to help promote The Big Listen. Millions of people from all walks of life travel through our stations every day: challenging them to take the time to listen, and listen more effectively, is a positive message that we’re delighted to be helping Samaritans deliver.”