A Chatty Bench Has Been Installed In Ardglass Beside The Marina Car Park
A chance to take a pew in the beautiful surroundings of Ardglass Marina has come to fruition with the installation of a ‘Chatty Bench’ through a partnership with the South Eastern Trust’s Primary Care Multi-disciplinary Team and Newry Mourne and Down District Council.
The aim of the benches, which are dotted at various spots across Northern Ireland, are to encourage those experiencing loneliness and isolation to take a seat as a way to connect with others to start and engage in conversation.
South Eastern Trust’s Multi-Disciplinary Team’s Senior Social Work Practitioner Aine Brannigan explained how the installation of the bench is the second one to take pride of place in the area, with the first placed in Strangford Green back in 2022.
“We know that loneliness and social isolation can have a huge effect on people’s physical and mental health, and can be experienced by us all, at any age and stage of life,” said Aine.
“Chatty Benches aim to combat loneliness and isolation and are a simple way of signalling to others that you’re happy to connect with a conversation or even just a smile.”
Aine continued:” It is recognised that Chatty Benches are now more important than ever before, with loneliness that so many experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, still a real factor in people’s lives.”
“We are delighted that with the support of Newry Mourne and Down District Council the bench has been installed in time for summer and we hope it will be of great benefit to those who choose to take five and take a seat.”
