Navigation in partnership with Storycatchers for Samaritans and Network Rail launched the start of a 4 week campaign to highlight the importance of small talk in helping save lives.

Small Talk Saves Lives campaign will help empower the public to trust their instincts and start a conversation if they think someone needs help in railway stations and other public settings.

The Small Talk pop up salon at King’s Cross station (one of the busiest stations in the country) encouraged passengers to drop in for a quick free treatment and a chat. They could choose from hair styling, trims, beard grooming, nail art, hand massages and many more. With no empty chairs all day the salon proved a creative and successful way in engaging with the busy commuters.  

Many of us use small talk when at the hairdressers, therefore, by bringing hairdressers, barbers, and nail technicians to the station, the charity gave people the opportunity to practise their small talk with the masters of small talk themselves.

A selfie wall was also installed with speech bubbles to offer ideas on small talk and invite commuters to have a go e.g. “I like your trainers” “Did you see the football score last night” to “Looks like it’s going to be a sunny day” 

We managed to pamper multiple commuters and left feeling better than before and more confident about their conversation starting skills to help those that are in need of help. 

Navigation was responsible for bringing the Small Talk Saves Lives campaign to life at Kings Cross – creating activation, commissioning the event team including the stylists and compare and managing all aspects of the very detailed health and safety requirements. 

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