Speaking to Talk TV, Mel Stride said: “What we need is more talking from the unions with the employers and less announcements of strikes… the consequence of this for families up and down the country, some of them quite serious incidentally, people trying to get to medical appointments for example, as well as the family reunions you have mentioned. Despite the unprecedented events of the last year, the good old British weather still remains the go-to subject for striking up conversation, chosen by 71% of people, compared to coronavirus in second place with 45%.* As the nation begins to readjust to life with easing restrictions, Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry joins charity to empower the public to act if they see someone who needs help by starting a conversation Rail Minister Chris Heaton Harris said: “We have all been through a year of difficulty, many feeling cut off from friends and family, so it is more important than ever for people to look out for each other. The work that Samaritans is doing on our rail network is vitally important to so many people. It is incredibly reassuring to see how comforting just a few small words can be to those struggling.”

Now is the time to stand up and fight for every single railway worker in this dispute that we will win.We are delighted to confirm that Clive Berrington, Group Commercial and Procurement Director, Network Rail will be the keynote speaker. One in five surveyed are more likely to want to make small talk once restrictions have lifted, appreciating the sense of community the pandemic brought out Sarah Wilson felt suicidal and planned to take her life on the railways, but didn’t as somebody reached out to her.**** Her story inspired the making of a video to promote the campaign, where unsuspecting passengers on a train platform initially think a station announcer is warning them of delays due to a suicide on the line, only to find out that they are listening to a story of hope and recovery, told by Sarah herself.

Commuters are being asked to take part in a new suicide prevention campaign on the railways which could save many lives a year and would involve them spotting vulnerable people and talking to them to interrupt their suicidal thoughts. Tuesday 3 Aug 2021 Network Rail gets on board for Samaritans' Small Talk Saves Lives Region & Route: National Labour demanded ministers drop the boycott of talks, which continued on Sunday in a bid to bring the threatened action to a halt. This week on Rail Talk, Joe Bianca and Jon Green held an informal therapy session to cope with the devastating losses of Maple Leaf Mel, Ever Summer and Sopran Basilea at Saratoga. They also gave appreciation for how, through tragedy, the outpouring of support for the fallen and their affected caretakers displayed the best of this community, and hoped that kind of love will help light the way forward.

Rail Development

The YouGov survey found that over three quarters of UK adults (78%) used small talk during the pandemic, whilst almost one in five of those surveyed say they are likely to want to make more small talk with a stranger face to face once restrictions are lifted (19%).* Just over half of those who want to make more small talk said it was because they now recognise the importance of human connection (51%) and with 39% of respondents saying they also appreciate the sense of community the pandemic brought out in people. Whilst during pandemic restrictions, people said they made small talk with neighbours they hadn’t spoken to before and with strangers at the supermarket (both 37%).*

We value the work we do with CWU and remain committed to agreeing a deal for tomorrow, not just today. Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley said:“We know that the pandemic has had a huge impact on the nation’s mental health and wellbeing and even though restrictions are lifting, people are still struggling. It’s so important we look out for one another now more than ever, because suicide is preventable and it’s everybody’s business. The campaign draws on insights from successful interventions made by some of the 16,000 rail staff and BTP officers who’ve been trained by Samaritans in suicide prevention. For each life lost on the railway, six are saved.*** The hope is that by appealing to members of the public, the number of life-saving interventions being made across Britain will increase further. It took me a long time before I spoke to anyone about that moment - but it was a wake-up call and I eventually got help from the university and my family. I’ve had my ups and downs with my mental health after that, but I’ve come a long way since my 19-year-old self and feel I know how to support my mental health now. I’d encourage everyone to talk about how they’re feeling and ask for help. It’s so true that small talk is enough to save someone’s life – just as it did for me and it’s what I always try to do for others.” Eligibility for TalkTalk plans with Total Home Wi-Fi depends on location. For those properties outside eligible locations, customers will not be able to receive Total Home Wi-Fi.

Safety

But it is what we can afford,” Shoveller said, speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Thursday. “But that is the value of the productivity we have been able to negotiate with the RMT. Despite months and months of conversations there are some basic things we want to achieve.” At what would usually be rush hour for commuters, here are the latest developments on today’s rail strikes: TalkTalk TV is available to all TalkTalk Fibre and Full Fibre customers. TalkTalk TV Access Fee to be paid on a rolling monthly basis. TalkTalk TV can be added at any time and broadband contract will be unaffected. Minimum commitment is 30 days and can be cancelled with 48 hours notice any time thereafter (broadband contract length still applies and cannot be cancelled mid contract). If TalkTalk TV Access Fee is cancelled part way through a billing cycle, a credit for the remaining part of the month will be applied in the next cycle. In 2016/17, there were 6.7 potentially life-saving interventions made for every suicide or suspected suicide on the railway. Figures calculated using data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and British Transport Police (BTP). They said the offer – a 4% rise this year and up to 4% next year if workers accept some changes in working conditions – represented a pay cut, with inflation expected to hit 11% by the end of the year.