Could you be a Samaritans Christmas Star

Christmas is a time for many to celebrate with family and friends. But for others it can be a time of isolation and despair. It's a time when Samaritans can be called on to shed some light in a dark place, or we can make an intervention with someone for whom small talk could save their life. When you could be that Christmas Star.

In this episode we hear from two people: one who works for Samaritans to help the rail industry, and one from the rail industry who works to help Samaritans. 

00:04 Christmas is a busy time for Samaritans as many suffer despair and loneliness.

01:16 What does a Samaritans Regional Development Lead do?

02:13 Join in the 'Samaritans Christmas Star' campaign, or nominate your own star.

03:20 How a train guard chose to support the 'Samarathon' fund raiser.

07:35 Bessie tells why she chose to support Samaritans, and what she did to raise funds.

10:30 Samaritans work at Christmas, how many people call, and why.

12:03 Contact information for Samaritans and its Christmas Star campaign.

• Samaritans phone number: 116 123
• Samaritans email contact: jo@samaritans.org 
• Samaritans Christmas Star campaign page:  https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/fundraising-appeals/search-christmas/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1PWHqcDg9AIVibh3Ch36vgm8EAAYASAAEgJWDfD_BwE 
• Samaritans Small Talk Saves Lives campaign webpage: https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/small-talk-saves-lives/ 
• If you'd like to get involved with the campaign or take the Managing Suicidal Contacts training, email railcompanies@samaritans.org 
• Could you help save a life? RSSB podcast, episode 8: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/rssb-podcasts/rssb-podcast-library 
• Could you help save another life? RSSB at the Front Line, episode 6: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/insights-and-news/rssb-podcasts/rssb-at-the-front-line 
• RSSB Suicide Prevention web pages: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/improving-safety-health-and-wellbeing/suicide-prevention 
• Rail Suicide Prevention website: https://railsuicideprevention.co.uk/ 
• RSSB Mental Wellbeing webpages: https://www.rssb.co.uk/what-we-do/key-industry-topics/health-and-wellbeing/mental-wellbeing 
• Leading Health and Safety on Britain's Railway Public Behaviour section: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/leading-health-and-safety-on-britains-railway/public-behaviour