The power of giving back
The Million Hour Challenge volunteering initiative with Samaritans is giving rail workers the opportunity to promote emotional wellbeing. Network Rail’s MHC Project Leader GEMMA HOWE and Samaritans’ MHC Project Management Officer CAROLINE PEARCE explain some of the benefits and how you can get involved
Since 2010, the rail industry has been at the forefront of promoting good mental health, working with Samaritans - the only charity in the UK and Ireland to provide emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - to reduce suicide on the railways and to support everyone affected when suicides occur.
Now, the rail industry is coming together to support Samaritans through volunteering, to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the rail industry and beyond.
A million hours of support
Samaritans’ 20,000 listening volunteers provide emotional support every day and night, all year round.
Samaritans respond to a call for help every six seconds. In an average year, Samaritans volunteers spend one million hours helping people who are struggling to cope.
In April 2019, the rail industry united to promote good mental health by taking on the Million Hour Challenge - to complete one million hours supporting Samaritans during Control Period 6 (April 2019-March 2024).
During the five-year period, the rail industry will help support people who are struggling to cope and to improve the mental health and wellbeing of rail industry employees, by taking on over one million hours of volunteering. And it couldn’t come at a more important time.
HM Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser CBE says: “We can build on the success of the existing partnership between the rail industry and the Samaritans further through the Million Hour Challenge, which will encourage volunteering from across the whole sector.
“This will not only help the Samaritans as they seek to cope with increased demand for their vital services, it will also be beneficial for the mental health of all of us in the sector who volunteer our time - not least by encouraging us to talk with each other and the wider community about the issues involved.”
The gift of giving time
Research has found that volunteering can help reduce stress levels and have a positive impact on relationships and self-esteem. There is also evidence to show that volunteering is related to reduced instances of depression among older people.
It also directly supports Samaritans, a charity which works to reduce the feelings of distress that can lead to suicide by offering nonjudgemental human contact.
If you work in the rail industry, you are well placed to make an impact on other people’s lives. There are a variety of ways to get involved - from attending a training day or completing online Samaritans training, to holding an afternoon tea with colleagues to get
people together and raise awareness of mental health.
This helps to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and illness within the rail industry, and beyond, while also improving your own mental health and wellbeing.
Ways to make a difference
Becoming a listening volunteer for Samaritans, helping to answer calls and messages from people who need some support, is one way of promoting emotional wellbeing, giving something back, and contributing to the Million Hour Challenge.
Being a Samaritans listening volunteer is a very rewarding role that makes a lasting difference, and which could change the course of someone’s life.
Full training and mentoring is provided, and volunteers often find that learning the skills to become a listening volunteer has a positive impact on their relationships with friends, family and colleagues. Hours spent training and volunteering count towards the Million Hour Challenge.
Other ways to volunteer for Samaritans
Samaritans has 201 branches across the UK - in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each branch plays a vital role in the community.
With a range of roles that help the charity, you don’t have to be a listening volunteer to support Samaritans.
Samaritans’ Support Volunteers help with marketing the service, fundraising, organising events (virtual and otherwise), providing IT support, or helping out in the charity’s shops.
Barry, a Support Volunteer, says: “I’m pleased to be able to contribute to the work Samaritans does and to help take some of the pressure off listening volunteers.”
Volunteering opportunities, including branch support roles, will be available online in the near future. This means that as an individual or an organisation, anyone involved in the Million Hour Challenge can have a direct impact on the Samaritans branch in their local area.
Offering an incredibly rewarding experience, and representing an opportunity to support the charity at a local level, there is a wide range of volunteer support roles that many Samaritans branches require assistance with, such as:
■ Branch fundraising co-ordinator: Every branch needs funds to keep the services running.
■ Social media and comms support: Use your skills to write press releases, manage social media or update the website.
■ Event organisation: Your planning skills could help to raise awareness and funds.
■ Community awareness: Help branches raise awareness in your local area.
■ Administration support: Your skills could help to streamline processes.
■ IT and web support: It is essential to keep systems up and running.
■ Rota co-ordination: To help the branches run smoothly.
■ Branch budget assistance: Help the branch to manage their budget and plan spending.
■ Grant writing: Use your writing skills to obtain grant funding for your local branch.
During these difficult times because of the Coronavirus pandemic, some of these roles may be offered remotely so that you can continue to support your local community.
Hours that count towards the Million Hour Challenge can also include taking part in Samaritans’ online learning, and hosting fundraising tea and coffee mornings such as Brew Monday.
Brew Monday, which can be held virtually when observing social distancing, is a fundraising activity that encourages everyone to get together over a cup of tea or coffee and share life’s ups and downs, while raising donations to ensure Samaritans can continue to be there for people who are struggling to cope. It can be held on any day, although lots of people hold theirs on Mondays.
Looking after yourself and others
The events of 2020 have made it more important than ever to take good care of your own wellbeing, as well as that of those around you.
Samaritans have a range of wellbeing tools, based on their decades of expertise, to support people working in the rail industry.
Completion of Samaritans’ Wellbeing in the Workplace tool counts towards the Million Hour Challenge. Wellbeing in the Workplace brings Samaritans’ listening and wellbeing expertise into workplaces, wherever they are. It teaches people the skills to look after themselves and the confidence to reach out to a colleague, friend or family member before they reach crisis point.
Of those who have completed Wellbeing in the Workplace, 93% say it has helped them to recognise the importance of looking after their own wellbeing, while 90% now feel more confident approaching someone in emotional distress.
Barbara Jay, senior talent specialist at Aon, adds: “We would recommend working with Samaritans for any organisation looking for a comprehensive online learning programme which suits the busy pace of work life.”
Get involved today
There are lots of ways to take part in the Million Hour Challenge. The wide range of roles and commitment times means that there is something for everyone.
Giving up your time to help others can really make a difference. Find out more about the opportunities at your local branch by registering at millionhourchallenge.com and searching for your area. You’ll be able to find volunteering opportunities as they become available.
Organisations interested in taking part will benefit from the wide range of materials made available - including digital and printed posters, leaflets and other promotional materials to get staff involved.
As an organisation, you can expect a truly collaborative approach, working closely with Samaritans and developing a strong relationship with your local Samaritans branch. Organisations that sign up will also receive access to the Wellbeing in the Workplace tool. ■
■ Anyone interested in participating should visit millionhourchallenge.com. Organisations interested in joining the challenge should email millionhourchallenge@samaritans.org.