There has been a lot of media promotion of ‘community benches’ with a variety of projects supporting their creation across the UK:
Netflix sponsored two benches in Cardiff following the end of a television programme highlighting mental health needs and isolation – Victoria Park and Parc Cefn Onn
Det Sgt Ashley Jones of Avon and Somerset Police introduced the idea of designated benches where anyone can stop and have a conversation – Happy to Chat Benches
The Friendly Bench CIC social enterprise aims to tackle loneliness, social isolation and build community cohesion using innovative, purposely designed outdoor community-led social spaces – Friendly Benches
Launched on Random Acts of Kindness Day in 2020, Thrive LDN supported an Acts of Kindness Bench pilot scheme – known as AOK Benches for short – across London to help combat loneliness and isolation Act of Kindness Benches.
Within the county, Cwm Gwendraeth Men’s Shed have delivered a number of ‘Buddy benches’ to local Primary Schools inc. Drefach, Cross hands, Cefneithin and Gorslas.
This project has been facilitated by the CAVS Community Volunteering Development Officer, Jamie Horton, and Community Connector Plus, Susan Smith, with the purpose of utilizing, and drawing attention to, the incredible support available through the county’s Men Shed movement. Not only is this an ideal opportunity for various community groups to support the development of the benches, it has also offered the facilitation of Sheds talking to Sheds: sharing ideas and resources and creating the space to co-produce concepts and solutions.
Community support around each of the Shed’s reflects their time in situ as well as promotion and awareness of events. This collaboration will invite local schools, PCSOs, Town and Community Councils, Youth Projects and Church groups, for instance, to join the kindness movement and support the bench development, launch and usage. The hope is to encourage a community commitment to keeping them free of damage and to promote the benefit of co-produced community endeavours.
Ferryside, Pembrey and Burry Port and Llangadog, Llandeilo and Llandovery Men’s Sheds have taken up the mantle and will deliver a number of kindness benches for their communities.
