‘Say Hello’ benches in Dudley for Loneliness Awareness Week
Benches across the borough adopted as part of initiative to raise awareness of and tackle loneliness.
Next week – June 10 to 16 – is Loneliness Awareness Week, an annual event established in 2017 by leading loneliness charity the Marmalade Trust. As the charity says, human beings are ‘hardwired to need social connections’, but loneliness can be misunderstood and stigmatised. Loneliness Awareness Week aims to increase awareness and understanding, and to create a more connected society.
Photo courtesy of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Of the thousands of organisations, charities and individuals taking part this year, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has come up with a novel initiative. For the third year running, it has partnered with community groups to adopting benches across the district for its ‘Say Hello’ project. The benches are being decorated and staffed by a local community group members, and anyone can stop by for a chat or take part in a free, fun activity.
Activities and times will vary but include everything joining a choir, crafting, gardening, book swaps, exercise sessions and sight awareness activities. What’s more, each ‘Say Hello’ bench will act as an information point, with details of council and community support available.
This year will be the largest version of ‘Say Hello’ to date, with 15 benches adopted acrost the region.
The benches are located in: Abbey Street Park, Gornal; Brierley Hill town centre; Dell Stadium; Dudley High Street; Dudley Street, Sedgley; DY1 Community Centre, Dudley; Grange Park, Dudley; Hagley Street, Halesowen; Jasmine Road Community Gardens, Dudley; Long Lane Library, Halesowen; Russells Hall Park; Silver Jubilee Park, Coseley; Stevens Park, Quarry Bank; Vicar Street Gardens, Sedgley; and Wollescote Park Sensory Garden.
Communities groups taking part this year include: Adult Community Learning and Top Church Training; Beacon Centre; Dudley CVS; Friends of Abbey Street Park and Park Active; Friends of Grange Park and Grange Park Active; Friends of Long Lane Library; Friends of Russells Hall Park; Friends of Wollescote Park; High Oak Youth & Community Centre; Jasmine Road Community Gardens; Just Straight Talk; Mindful Moms Hub; Rethink Dudley Sanctuary Hub; and Sedgley Evening Townswomen’s Guild.
For more information see the Healthy Dudley website or on social media, search for #sayhelloDudley. The ‘Say Hello’ initiative is being run as part of the wider Month of Community programme run by Eden Project Communities.
Featured image: Justin Luebke
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