What is The Friendly BenchⓇ?

Reconnecting people back to their community

We are a social enterprise which aims to tackle loneliness, social isolation and build community cohesion using our innovative, purposely designed outdoor community-led social spaces, The Friendly BenchⓇ, that help reconnect people back to their own community. We do this is three key ways:

Connecting people

Accessible, inclusive community-led social spaces, each The Friendly BenchⓇ is hub for friendship, as well as regular community events and activities which help grow and strengthen people's social networks with their wider community and helps improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

Connecting places

Purposely designed, each The Friendly BenchⓇ provides a convenient and comfortable place for those with limited mobility to rest, helping them to connect with local services and public places, whilst also encouraging independence and opportunities to participate in the wider community on their terms.

Connecting with nature

Enabling easy accessible interactions with nature, wildlife and the outdoors to help improve people's physical health, mental well-being, social behaviour, self esteem and life satisfaction.

Find out more

"The Friendly BenchⓇ is such a creative but wonderfully simple idea to help combat loneliness. It was by far one of my favourite schemes to hear about during my time as Minister, not least because it seems an incredibly cost effective way of creating connections within a micro-community. I would love to see many more Friendly Benches across the country."

Tracey Crouch MP for Chatham & Aylesford,

Former Minister for Loneliness