Share the warmth with a Samaritans brew

Banish the Monday blues with a Samaritans brew

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans is encouraging people in Rochdale to beat the winter blues by getting together for a warming cuppa on Mondays over the long cold months for Brew Monday.

Brew Monday kicks off on Monday 20 January 2020, the third Monday in January which is typically known as ‘Blue Monday’ for being the most difficult day of the year. The charity is turning the blues into brews, by encouraging friends, family and work-mates to have a chat over a brew with someone who may be feeling lonely and raise vital funds for Samaritans.

The UK’s much-loved tea brand PG Tips, is pledging its support to Brew Monday by asking the nation to come together on a Monday in January or Ferbaury and share a cuppa with someone who may be lonely.

Samaritans volunteers from the Rochdale branch will be at Rochdale Station from 7am to 9am on Monday 20 January, chatting to commuters and handing out free PG Tips tea bags so they can enjoy a brew with someone and share the warmth.

Volunteers will be providing free teabags to commuters passing through train stations across the country. Samaritans will also support PG Tips on their new TV campaign, which will see the charity featured across national TV, Heart Radio and on Twitter and Facebook.

Located on Caton Street in Rochdale, the Rochdale, Oldham and District branch of Samaritans currently has around 50 volunteers helping to answer some of the millions of calls for help that Samaritans responds to every year from people going through a difficult time. The branch also provides support at Buckley Hall Prison in Rochdale.

Moyra Purves, the Rochdale, Oldham and District branch director said: “During the cold and grey winter months, connecting with others over a cuppa can help weather the ups and downs of life. Anyone can hold a Brew Monday event at work, at home, wherever and whenever you like – all you need is a kettle and some mugs, and this could make a huge difference in someone’s life.”

Ian Stevens, Network Rail’s Suicide Prevention Program Manager said: “Brew Monday is a great opportunity for the rail industry to show its support for Samaritans and the fantastic work they do in helping people up and down the country. Millions of people use the rail network every day and if through this campaign we can encourage them to talk about their problems over a cup of tea, we will have made a significant contribution to their lives and to the lives of those around them.”

To sign up to a free Brew Monday fundraising pack visit:

• www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/

Or if you want to help Samaritans support local people at perhaps the toughest time of their life, you can donate to the local branch here:

• virginmoneygiving.com/charities/Rochdale,OldhamandDistrictSamaritans