Happy to Chat Bench Officially Launched in Hellesdon

On Tuesday 17^th September, Hellesdon saw its very first ‘Happy to Chat’ bench being opened to the local community to help reduce loneliness and isolation. The bench is designed to encourage conversations and foster a sense of belonging among residents of all ages.

The event attracted 30 attendees, including local residents, community leaders, and representatives from various age-friendly organisations. Three key speakers shared their insights on the importance of age-friendly communities and the positive impact of social interaction. William Armstrong, Age UK Norwich’s patron provided valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by older adults and the benefits of creating inclusive spaces where they can connect with others. He said, “Tackling ageism and assumptions around growing older in Norwich, the Age Friendly Norwich project will look at how infrastructure, services and attitudes can be improved to make the fine City of Norwich more accessible and welcoming to over 50s.”

Following the short speeches, a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially open the new Happy to Chat bench.

This bench provides a public seating area specifically designed to promote social interaction and community building. Chatty Benches can usually be found in parks, gardens, and other public spaces, and they have proven to be effective in reducing loneliness and isolation, particularly among older adults.

The Happy to Chat bench was generously funded by the People Kit, a community-driven initiative that supports local projects and initiatives. The funding allowed us to purchase and install the bench, ensuring that it would be a valuable addition to the community for years to come.

Dan Skipper, Age UK Norwich CEO said on BBC Radio Norfolk “Norwich has a really difficult level of loneliness. About 42% of people live alone in Norwich, and in some areas, it can be as high as 65%. I hope this bench, and future benches, highlights the Age Friendly City initiative in Norwich”.

The launch of the Happy to Chat bench is a significant step towards making Norwich a more age-friendly city and we endeavour to scatter more around Norwich. If you would like to find out more about Age Friendly City, please visit our website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/norwich/about-us/age-friendly/