How listening can help to save lives
THE Stockport Samaritans gathered at the town’s station to show commuters listening skills.
Building up to the charity’s The Big Listen event, they showed people SHUSH listening tips.
They handed out leaflets with listening advice and encouraged members of the public to take selfies under the hashtag ‘The Big Listen’.
SHUSH stands for ‘show you care’, ‘have patience’, ‘use open questions, ‘say it back’ and ‘have courage’.
It is as part of a nationwide drive to raise awareness and funds for the Samaritans and to show how really listening to someone can save a life.
Funds raised by events held during The Big Listen will help to continue providing the Samaritan’s emotional support services, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The money will help to keep the services free, to run branches across the UK, and to recruit, train and support volunteers.
Samaritans volunteer and director of Stockport branch, Sam Walters, said: “We’ll be raising awareness of the support our volunteers provide and the outreach work that we do in the community.
“Anyone can join in The Big Listen, just go to Samaritans’ website to find out more.”
Samaritans volunteers from 100 branches around the UK are holding events at 120 different stations for The Big Listen, with support in from British Transport Police and the wider rail industry.
Samaritans’ CEO Ruth Sutherland said: “Three times more people die by suicide than from road accidents.
“Samaritans volunteers are trained to be good listeners, but this is a skill we can share and everyone can learn. Together we will save lives.”