On November 13, World Kindness Day, London Waterloo hosted the rail industry’s joint campaign ‘A Brief Encounter’. The campaign aimed to bring the 1945 film Brief Encounter, back to life to let commuters know how they can help if they see someone in distress.

Network Rail and members of the wider rail industry partnered with Mental Health UK to help members of the public know how to spot someone who may be in emotional distress while using the rail network or just out and about. Through the partnership, the industry hopes to have educated the public around signs to look for and identify ways to step in if someone is experiencing a mental health issue.

#BriefEncounter was inspired by the 1945 film, in which a chance meeting unexpectedly changes the main character’s life, and the industry wants to let people know what to do in such situations and remind us all that we all have the power to help.

On arriving at the station, travelers would have heard a 1940’s swing band/music coming from the concourse, along with volunteers dressed in 1940’s fashion handing out information on how to spot those in distress and step in to make a difference.

The event was attended by industry colleagues Ian Stevens, Mark Killick and Andy Mellors, along with Mental Health UK Chief Executive Brain Dow and ambassadors Jonny Benjamin MBE and Neil Laybourn.