Samaritans hold Big Listen event at Carlisle railway station

Volunteers will be holding Big Listen events at 150 rail stations Credit: ITV Border

Samaritans volunteers are highlighting the support they provide for the community, which focuses on good listening skills, at Carlisle railway station, Monday 24 July.

Volunteers will be holding Big Listen events at 150 rail stations to reduce the number of suicides.

The campaign encourages people to take a few minutes to improve their listening skills by following the charity's simple 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.

Suicides on Britain's rail network have fallen by 18% since 15,000 Network Rail staff were given specialist training.

Samaritans believes that listening is crucial to helping people find their way through their problems, and the charity would like to encourage people to seek help early, rather than when they reach a crisis.

Laura Rutherford, Director of Carlisle Samaritans, spoke to ITV Border earlier today:

You can find out more information about Samaritans and the work they do by visiting www.samaritans.org.