Jersey’s first ‘chatty’ bench unveiled

Thursday 19 December 2019

Jersey has taken its first step in getting the community talking again, with the island’s first ‘chatty’ bench unveiled just in time for Christmas.

Designed as a space for strangers to strike up a conversations, the first conversation-starting seat has been installed in the Town Park.

Talking or chatty benches have proved a popular trend in urban areas across the UK and further afield in order to bring communities closer together and to combat loneliness.

Pictured: The bench has been unveiled just in time for Christmas.

The initiative follows the death of Richard Mears, who himself took up residence on a bench in Cheapside from which he paid random acts of kindness to strangers and played music.

Following his passing, islanders called for a ‘talking bench’ to be introduced in his honour and local community worker Kevin Proctor was one of the people who took the cause to the Parish.

Yesterday, the first bench was unveiled in Millennium Park, bearing a sign that reads: "Sit here if you don't mind someone stopping to say hello." There are now plans to install another in Liberation Square and the Town Church.

Pictured: A small gathering marked the unveiling of the first bench of this kind.

The launch was made possible by sponsorship from Ravenscroft, who found out about the scheme after it was reported by Express. 

The bench was unveiled at a small ceremony in the Park, attended by the Constable of St. Helier Simon Crowcroft, Deputies Rob Ward and Steve Ahier, Managing Director of Ravenscroft, Haydn Taylor, as well as the Dean of Jersey, Michael Keirle, amongst other Parish representatives and members of the public. 

Kevin was also there with his canine companion Bella to see the grand unveiling. 

The project has been welcomed by major wellbeing organisations in the island including Mind Jersey and the Listening Lounge.

Speaking at the unveiling, Deputy Ward thanked Kevin “for being so inspiring in starting this process."

“It’s such a simple idea that can have such a positive impact and what it does for St. Helier is it re-emphasises the importance of community in St. Helier and the importance of talking to each other. So we’ll look forward to the benches being used and more benches coming up around St. Helier.” 

Pictured: The Dean and Procureur du Bien Public Geraint Jennings were the first to try out the 'happy to chat' bench.

Mr Taylor, on behalf of the scheme’s sponsors, also said a few words.

“What a fantastic initiative this is. Well done, Kevin, for putting this together. Ravenscroft thought this really was something that we wanted to back because it’s connecting community together at a time when people can really be very lonely after Christmas. So we’re delighted to see so many people here today supporting this initiative.”