A ‘CHAT Bench’ has been installed in Bridgwater to encourage more people to have conversations with people who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation.
The bench was donated and installed by the Rotary Club of Bridgwater at the front of Gibb House in Rhode Lane, which is located on the Hamp Estate.
A plaque on the bench tells it users: “Sit here if you don't mind someone stopping to say hello.”
The Senior Citizenship Liaison Charity launched the Chat Bench initiative to “alleviate the effects of loneliness and isolation in communities throughout the UK”.
Bridgwater Rotary Club worked with the charity to acquire the bench and plaque.
Rotary club members laid the concrete base, lifted the bench into position, and fitted the Chat Bench plaque.
Councillor Liz Leavy, Bridgwater's town mayor, attended an inauguration ceremony on Saturday, August 13.
She said: “It’s brilliant that you can just sit and wait for someone else to join you who might want some company or a chat.
“I am very proud that the Hamp Estate is the first place in Bridgwater to have a Chat Bench. I would like to congratulate all members of the rotary club all over the country, but particularly here in Bridgwater for coming up with such a brilliant idea.”
A second Chat Bench will be made by Bridgwater Men's Shed with timber supplied by a local firm, MH Joinery.
The Rotary Club of Bridgwater will move the the bench into position and attach the Chat Bench plaque when it is ready.
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