On a dark weekend night by London Bridge, a young woman sat alone, tears streaming down her face as the festive crowds hurried past. In the capital's relentless hustle, her silent anguish was almost invisible. Police had asked her to move from the concrete wall, but it was a volunteer named Marianne from the charity Bridge Watch who saw the real danger. She approached, asked directly if the woman was considering suicide, and was met with an emotional outpouring.
"We walked her away from the bridge and to her station," Marianne recalled. "I have never forgotten her." This encounter, from the winter of 2025, is one of hundreds since the group formed in December 2023, representing a single life they worked to save.
The gap in support on the ground
On a cold December morning, Metro joined Bridge Watch volunteers as they prepared for a shift. Around ten people met at Tower Bridge pier, splitting into groups to monitor embankments and stairways. With Christmas approaching—a time of heightened loneliness—the volunteers have been packing in extra shifts before and after work.
Neil Livingstone, a volunteer from the start, told Metro the effort is worth it to prevent suicides. Coordinator Paul Moloney explained the charity's founding principle: "There was a gap in support systems. There are people ready to rescue them from the water, but there was no one on the ground ready to spot them before they did something drastic."
A direct and necessary approach
The volunteers receive training to identify individuals at risk. Someone standing still alone, looking over the bridge, can be a first sign. Their intervention method is intentionally direct.
"We just go up, ask if they are okay, and then immediately ask 'are you thinking about suicide'," Marianne said. "It can sound shocking, but with that type of question, it cuts through everything. You get a really honest reaction."
For those already in a critical state, the language can be even more blunt. Volunteer Hannah Liptrot, who also works with the RNLI, described encountering a person convinced jumping would mean a quick death. "I assured him it wasn't. I told him he would stay alive for around 10 minutes, it would be very cold, he would be scared, and a boat would be dispatched. You have to be brutal to break the spell their mental health issues has over them."
Why Christmas is a critical time
The festive period is a peak time for loneliness, driving more people towards crisis. In 2023, the NHS noted extra pressure from holidays and short winter days worsens mental health, with a third of people suffering during this period.
The location of London's bridges also plays a role. Henry Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer at the Eastern City Business Improvement District, said the area's notoriety and tall buildings make it a sadly common place for suicides. "We have had a lot of security guards in particular ask us for support after witnessing suicides," he told Metro.
The volunteers' motivation is often personal. "All of us have some connection with mental health struggles," Neil said. "We can sympathise with that feeling of hopelessness."
Currently, Bridge Watch operates five patrols a week for four hours each, but their goal is a 24/7 service. They are actively seeking more volunteers. Paul Moloney believes the power of their work is simple: "Just being able to listen and approach a suicidal person with an open heart is all that is needed to make such a huge difference."
If you are struggling, the Samaritans offer free, confidential support 24/7, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
