My name is Wayne Groves, and I am the Founder of The Red Bench Project, a charity established to support suicide prevention and promote mental wellbeing, provide support, reduce isolation, and help save lives, one bench at a time.
The charity seeks to place benches in locations where they can have the greatest positive impact. The benches differ from standard public seating as each one is red, or incorporates red elements, thereby being clearly identifiable as being part of The Red Bench Project. This visibility is important so the benches stand out from others nearby and are easily recognisable. Two plaques are also attached to each bench. One positioned on the front of the bench which displays the Samaritans’ contact number, along with a QR code that links directly to the charity’s website, allowing individuals to access support quickly and easily. The second plaque is placed on the rear of the bench or adjacent to it and provides information about The Red Bench Project. All benches are individually numbered, and both plaques include a short dedication from the supporter who funded the bench.
Once a red bench has been installed in a new area, we then build relationships with charities, groups, non-profit organisations and businesses from that region so we can signpost individuals to the support they need.
We also believe that personal interaction can make the biggest impact therefore we promote the public to talk to people who are sitting on a red bench. For someone who is struggling, that small act of kindness can be enough to break through feelings of isolation and remind them they are not alone. We know these moments of connection can and do save lives.
Further to this, we are busy working on The Mini Red Bench Project where our aim is to place red benches in schools to support children with their mental health and wellbeing. This has been piloted at Marsden Primary School in South Shields.
Benches are paid for by a mix of fundraising and people/businesses donating the full cost of a bench, which will have their dedication on.