Samaritans harness power of tea at Banbury railway station

Banbury and District Samaritans were at the town's railway station on Monday to counter what is dubbed the '˜most depressing day of the year' with tea.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jan 2018, 08:53 BST
Updated 17th Jan 2018, 08:57 BST
A British Transport Police officer joined Davina Birkbeck from Banbury Samaritans at the Brew Monday stand at Banbury railway station NNL-180116-162756001A British Transport Police officer joined Davina Birkbeck from Banbury Samaritans at the Brew Monday stand at Banbury railway station NNL-180116-162756001
A British Transport Police officer joined Davina Birkbeck from Banbury Samaritans at the Brew Monday stand at Banbury railway station NNL-180116-162756001

They offered free teabags to encourage people to connect with each other and take time to chat with someone who may be having a difficult time, in what they called ‘Brew Monday’.

Organiser Davina Birkbeck said: “I was so glad that we got involved in this campaign – one of Samaritans’ main aims is to encourage people to seek help before they reach a crisis, and offering teabags was a good way of highlighting the first step – chatting to other people and asking how they are and then actually listening to the answer.

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“I hope that we also brightened up the day for some passengers, as a free teabag is not something you are offered every day of the year.”

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Commuters could get a free cup of tea and a listening ear at the station NNL-180116-162726001Commuters could get a free cup of tea and a listening ear at the station NNL-180116-162726001
Commuters could get a free cup of tea and a listening ear at the station NNL-180116-162726001

Samaritans chief executive Ruth Sutherland added: “People need people, they will never stop needing them and listening and giving each other time is one thing we can resolve to do in 2018 that makes a big difference. A cup of tea and a chat is a first step.”

You can call Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123 (the call will not appear on your bill), email [email protected], or visit Banbury and District Samaritans at 33 Albert Street, Banbury.

Related topics:Banbury