Broadmead BID has created a ‘Happy to Chat’ bench in the courtyard of John Wesley’s New Room.

Using one of John Wesley’s New Room’s existing benches and paint leftover from refurbishing the Broadmead balls, which are now green rather than blue, the ‘Happy to Chat’ bench features a simple sign that reads ‘Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello’ and is designed to help combat loneliness and encourage community interaction.

Head of Broadmead BID, Vivienne Kennedy, says: “By sitting on the bench, people will know that you’re open to a friendly talk. If you see someone sitting there, why not consider approaching them and have a chat. You might learn something new, make a new friend, or simply brighten someone’s day!”

The benefits of Happy to Chat benches have been demonstrated by other similar initiatives across the country, including in Newcastle and Cardiff, and a study published by the University of Sheffield in 2015 found that sitting on benches allows people to spend longer outside, which is beneficial for mental health and helps connects people within communities.