All aboard the Brew Train: EMR teams up with Samaritans to bring people together on Brew Monday 2026
• EMR is again joining Samaritans to tackle Blue Monday over a cuppa
• The operator will be running special Brew Trains, handing out free drinks and providing information on support
• Stands will also be in place at stations to promote Brew Monday
• A choir, helping to promote a sense of community and togetherness, will also be performing at St Pancras station as part of the day
East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Transport UK, are proud to be continuing its partnership with Samaritans by supporting the Brew Monday campaign in January 2026, helping to turn so-called “Blue Monday” into a day focused on connection, conversation and community.
Taking place on Monday 19 January 2026, the Brew Train initiative will see EMR colleagues and Samaritans volunteers working together across the network to encourage people to pause, have a chat and share a cuppa – whether they are travelling for work, leisure or simply passing through one of EMR’s stations.
Building on the success of previous years, EMR’s Inclusioneers staff network will lead activity both on board trains and at stations, with a highly visible presence designed to reach as many customers as possible.
A number of dedicated “Brew Trains” will operate on EMR Intercity routes, with Samaritans volunteers travelling through the train and engaging with customers who wish to take part.
To help foster a spirit of warmth and connection, EMR colleagues will also be offering complimentary hot drinks and special sweet treats throughout the journey.
The Intercity Brew Trains will be:
• 09:30 Leicester to London St Pancras (service starts from Sheffield)
• 11:32 London St Pancras to Leicester (train continues to Sheffield)
• 14:32 Derby to London St Pancras (service starts from Sheffield)
Brew Trains – Regional services
The Brew Train experience will also be brought to EMR Regional routes, ensuring customers across the network can take part. On the following services, EMR colleagues will support the campaign by offering hot drinks and sweet treats:
• 09:49 Derby to Matlock (service starts from Grimsby Town)
• 10:41 Matlock to Derby (service continues to Cleethorpes)
In addition to on-train activity, Samaritans volunteers will be welcoming customers at a number of EMR stations throughout the day, offering friendly conversation and information about the charity’s work, including Derby, Market Harborough, Lincoln, Sheffield, and Chesterfield.
To enhance the atmosphere at EMR’s London terminus during the evening peak, customers travelling through London St Pancras will be greeted by a 40-member choir, helping to promote a sense of community and togetherness at the end of the working day. Samaritans volunteers will also be on hand to engage with customers as they move through the station.
Steven Thake, Train Manager at EMR, said: “Transport UK and East Midlands Railway know how powerful simple connections can be when it comes to supporting mental health.
“This Brew Monday, we’re proud to be working with Samaritans once again, but with even more ways for people to get involved.
"Alongside our Brew Trains, we’re expanding activity at stations across the network and introducing new moments of connection at London St Pancras, helping to turn a day that can feel challenging into one focused on warmth, conversation and community.
“By encouraging people to pause, share a cuppa and have a chat, we’re showing that even small gestures can make a big difference – and helping to turn Blue Monday into a day of compassion and togetherness.”
Becky Harris, Senior Regional Development Lead, East Midlands & Anglia at the Samaritans, said: "At Samaritans we know there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ and that feeling low isn’t just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January. So we say out with the blue and in with the brew!
"We want to remind everyone to reach out for a cuppa and catch-up with the people you care about. We're proud to be partnering with EMR this Brew Monday and our volunteers will be at various stations across the network and on the "Brew Train" to remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make."