This month, Samaritans is again running its Brew Monday campaign, which aims to turn “Blue Monday” into a day focused on connection, conversation and community.

On Monday, 19th January, East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Transport UK will take part in the initiative with a Brew Train, in which EMR colleagues and Samaritans volunteers will encourage people to pause, have a chat and share a cuppa. The initiative will be for everyone, regardless of whether their journey is for work or leisure, or they are simply passing through a station.

As in previous years, activities on trains and at stations will be led by colleagues from EMR’s ‘Inclusioneers’ staff network, who will be highly visible to enable them to reach as many customers as possible. On board the Brew Trains, throughout the journey, Samaritans volunteers will travel through the trains, engaging with customers and offering them complimentary hot drinks and special sweet treats.

“Brew Trains” will run on the following services:

• 09:30 Leicester to London St Pancras.
• 11:32 London St Pancras to Leicester.
• 14:32 Derby to London St Pancras.
• 09:49 Derby to Matlock.
• 10:41 Matlock to Derby.

Throughout the day, Samaritans volunteers will also be at some EMR stations, including Derby, Market Harborough, Lincoln, Sheffield, and Chesterfield, to engage people in friendly conversation and inform them about the charity’s work.

At London St Pancras, during the evening peak, Samaritans volunteers will engage with customers as they move through the station, and a 40-member choir will be singing to help promote a sense of community and togetherness.

In previous years, other train operators and Network Rail have taken part in Samaritans’ Brew Monday initiative.

“Transport UK and East Midlands Railway know how powerful simple connections can be when it comes to supporting mental health. This Brew Monday, we’re proud to be working with Samaritans once again, but with even more ways for people to get involved. Alongside our Brew Trains, we’re expanding activity at stations across the network and introducing new moments of connection at London St Pancras, helping to turn a day that can feel challenging into one focused on warmth, conversation and community. By encouraging people to pause, share a cuppa and have a chat, we’re showing that even small gestures can make a big difference – and helping to turn Blue Monday into a day of compassion and togetherness.”

Steven Thake, Train Manager at EMR