Samaritan volunteers in Brent are gathering at West Hampstead station today to give commuters tips on how best to listen to people in need.

The Harlesden based branch are building up to the charity’s national Big Listen event by promoting its SHUSH listening tips.

Volunteers are pushing to raise awareness and funds for Samaritans, and at the same time show how really listening to another person can be the first step to saving a life.

The five tips are show you care, have patience, use open questions, say it back so the person knows you understand and have courage as sometimes people can’t express how they feel.

Volunteers from 100 branches around the UK are holding events with support in from British Transport Police and the wider rail industry.

Debbie Wilson, Samaritans volunteer and director of the Brent branch, 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’ CEO Ruth Sutherland added: “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.”