Flowers will cheer rail passengers

TRAIN passengers in Cardiff will be greeted by colourful flowers at major stations to boost passengers’ mental health.

Network Rail said it hopes the installation will “lift people’s spirits” during their journeys.

The Brighter Journeys initiative aims to raise awareness of the free Hub of Hope app, which helps users access support if they are struggling with mental health.

The flowers will initially go on display at London Liverpool Street station between today and Wednesday to mark Mental Health Awareness

Week. The installation will then be moved to Cardiff Central, Leeds, Edinburgh Waverley, Birmingham New Street, Stevenage and East Croydon.

A survey of 5,136 UK adults by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy indicated that 70% of people say their mental health has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Nearly a fifth of respondents (19%) described their mental health as “poor”.

Brighter Journeys is a joint campaign by the rail industry and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma. Rupert Lown, chief health and safety officer at Network Rail, said: “We hope that by running this campaign we are bringing happiness and cheer to many passengers as they go about their daily lives, reminding them to take a pause and have a moment to connect with nature.”

Jake Mills, founder of Chasing the Stigma and Hub of Hope, said: “Nature is really important for mental health, so we hope commuters enjoy seeing these floral installations and they put a smile on people’s faces.”