Small talk is no small thing says Rochdale and Oldham District Samaritans

Samaritans - Small Talk Saves Lives

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans is reminding the public that small talk can save lives and we are better at it than we think, as part of the charity’s latest Small Talk Saves Lives campaign.

Newly-released research from the suicide prevention charity reveals as a nation, 49% of us have avoided engaging with someone we don’t know due to the fear of having to make small talk – with over 1 in 5 of us (22%) worried we would say the wrong thing.

Furthermore, although 94% of people say they don’t have a go-to question to start small talk, Samaritans found across Great Britain 80% of us state we have used small talk in our personal lives over the past month, and over half of us (52%) often or always use small talk in our professional lives too.

Delivered in partnership with Network Rail, British Transport Police, and the wider rail industry, Small Talk Saves Lives empowers the public to trust their instincts and gives them the confidence to start a conversation if they think someone needs help – small talk is no small thing, it saves lives.

The campaign reassures the public 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 remind them that support is available.

Although people might worry that you’ll say the wrong thing, the charity says saying something is better than saying nothing.

From today (22 February), Samaritans volunteers across the country will also be heading to their local railway stations to host outreach events.

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans will be at Castleton Station on Thursday 22 February from 5 to 6 pm, as well as at Manchester Victoria Station on Saturday 2 March, speaking to passengers about the campaign, highlighting the power of talking, and providing myth-busting leaflets to help ease any concerns they may have surrounding approaching someone in distress.

Neil Thomson, from the Rochdale, Oldham and District branch, said: “This campaign empowers people to trust their instincts and have the confidence to act, because it could save a life.

“Our campaign over the next four weeks will see our volunteers raising awareness at stations across the country, encouraging commuters to trust their instincts and use small talk to support someone who may be in need of help.

“There’s no evidence you will make the situation worse and you don’t need training for this. It’s about being there for that person, listening, and showing you care, which can make all the difference.”

Launched in 2017, Small Talk Saves Lives was developed after research showed the positive part the public could play in suicide prevention.

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