Million Hour Challenge – Bringing the rail industry together to help Samaritans be there when it matters most

Our vision

The rail industry volunteering one million hours to help support people who are struggling to cope.

Our mission

Over the next five years the rail industry is coming together; to volunteer one million hours to help Samaritans achieve their vision that fewer people die by suicide. We will provide more support for people experiencing emotional distress and aim to improve the mental health and wellbeing of rail industry employees.

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Get involved

Find out more about the different ways you can volunteer with Samaritans

What is the challenge?

Find out what the Million Hour Challenge is, why we’re asking you to take part and what counts towards the million hours.

Why volunteer

Giving your time can make a huge different to the lives of others. It can benefit you, too. Volunteering is linked to improved mental health and wellbeing.

Event ideas

Holding events builds community awareness, they are social, great fun and a fantastic way to meet likeminded people whilst raising funds for Samaritans.

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Upcoming events

June 1, 2020

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July 1, 2020

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All events can have a description here…and the More info links to external url

More details

Our volunteers

Part of my day job is working to prevent suicides on the railway, every year there are hundreds of suicides on Britain's railways. With the help of the great work of Samaritans we are seeing an overall reduction in suicides.

Sophie, South East Route, Network Rail

I helped a friend once, a long time ago, just by listening. His family noticed an overnight change and thanked me for it. I remember it very clearly. It made a big difference for him and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

Jeff, Listening Volunteer, Bexley and Dartford

I get a huge amount out of volunteering and I am sure there is a really positive impact on my own mental health and well-being by doing a very simple thing: offering to listen to someone in need of emotional support; someone you don’t know, and unless you’re at a face-to-face meeting; someone who you will never meet.

John, Network Rail Western, Listening Volunteer and Bristol

This year I became a Listening Volunteer for the Samaritans… I decided to do this because I felt an urge to 'give something back' to society I find being a listening volunteer interesting, challenging and rewarding - I also feel that I have the necessary support around me when I need it. I have already noticed a few benefits for me.

Paul, Listening Volunteer, Network Rail

The more I do the more positive and internally mellow I feel. You may think your quality of life at times is not good. I tell you; you hear people tell the story of their life and you realise pretty quickly how your own isn’t that bad after all.

John, Listening Volunteer Bristol

There are so many satisfying experiences for a volunteer, for example, when you put down the receiver at 2.00am having helped someone in such depths of despair and they have no one else to talk to and at the end of the call they say, 'thank you, you've really helped me tonight'.

Paul, Listening Volunteer

Our vision

Our mission

Find out more about Samaritans volunteers and their work

An introduction to Samaritans Wellbeing Toolkit online learning

Get involved

Find out more about the different ways you can volunteer with Samaritans

What is the challenge?

Why volunteer

Event ideas

Upcoming events

Event title goes here

Event title goes here

Our volunteers

Volunteer stories

Great North Run fundraising

Latest news

Small talk can save lives

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