The RailStaff Awards 2024

Richard Godwin

Network Rail and West Midlands Trains

Previous Next Nominate

Nominations for Samaritans Lifesaver Award

Caroline Kingston

Said the following about Richard Godwin:

“Whilst undertaking some site visits at level crossings with other colleagues they came across a distressed individual who disclosed that they had come to the site with the intentions of taking his life.

The individual was reluctant to engage with local British Transport Police Officers, so Richard approached him to try and start a conversation with him. He started to leave the site and Richard followed him. He started to disclose how he was feeling and that nobody was listening to him. At that point Richard offered to listen to him as well as offering him a Samaritans card and he said ok. Richard said, “I gave him the card and explained about calling the number or he could text or email and that he could arrange a call back when it was convenient if he wanted to be alone when he spoke to them. He took the card and wanted to get away at this stage, so I shook his hand told him to look after himself and to make the call.”

After the initial interaction and him wandering off, Richard was made aware that the Triage Car had been called and were on their way, Richard managed to locate him and explained that a Mental Health Nurse was on their way and asked if he would like to talk to them. Richard said he would wait with him, and he agreed to wait. Through listening to the individual, Richard had various subjects that he could ask him about to keep the conversation going.

Throughout the conversation he continued to be very reluctant to have any contact with any other professionals including the Police and Mental Health practitioners however he remained on site until the Triage Car arrived. He talked to the Triage Nurse, who persuaded him to seek help and he agreed for a referral to be submitted to local mental health services. He left the site with the Triage Team.

Richard highlights that the Samaritans listening tips were utilised as he was able to listen, show empathy and build up a rapport with the individual to keep talking and to wait until help arrived. “He didn’t like the Police and didn’t want to get sectioned as he had done so before and wasn’t a pleasant experience as he had been denied his medication, so I took it as an achievement that he stayed and engaged with the Mental Health Nurse.“