What a wonderful day we had in Boston, Lincolnshire on 24th March, as the community and sun came out to celebrate the official handover of our latest The Friendly Bench to our newest The Friendly Bench Network Members, Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service.
Located outside Housing 21’s Retirement Living Accommodation, Ancaster Court, on Broadfield Lane, a short walking distance from nearby primary school and the main town, the scheme will be headed up by Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) where it will be a focus for all ages of the community to come together to share skills, form friendships and build connections through a variety of community-led activities and events.
Founder of The Friendly Bench CIC, Lyndsey Young, officially handed over The Friendly Bench to LCVS Project Lead, Jackie Lane, who was joined by over 50 people from across the community including staff from LCVS, Housing 21, Boston Big Local, Chairman of Royal British Legion Lincolnshire, Chair of Royal British Legion Boston and District Branch, Lincolnshire Coop Community Champion, Singing for Fun Boston, residents of Ancaster Court, members of the community and supporters from across Boston.
BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Jess Lord joined in the fun and broadcast live from The Friendly Bench throughout Sean Dunderdale’s morning show, in addition Boston’s Singing for Fun group entertained the guests during the official handover and post-handover reception.
Jackie Lane, The Friendly Bench Boston project lead said, “We are thrilled that we have The Friendly Bench in Boston. It is in an ideal site, being in a residential area, close to retirement living flats and bungalows and the nearby Primary School, and within walking distance to the Town Centre. Local people are using The Friendly Bench and have lots of ideas for events that could take place there to help bring the community together and combat social isolation and loneliness. The Friendly Bench looks lovely enhanced by the beautiful planting and we are sure it will bring pleasure to lots of people for many years to come. Our thanks to Lyndsey and her team for bringing this fantastic community facility to Boston.”
Lyndsey Young, Founder of The Friendly Bench CIC said, “It is fantastic to bring The Friendly Bench to my home town of Boston. We are very excited to partner with our first Voluntary and Community Sector Support charity and we know this, our 12th The Friendly Bench, will play a vital role in reconnecting people of all ages and backgrounds back to their community and will also help tackle loneliness and social isolation which is and has been experienced by so many, particularly through the pandemic.
This The Friendly BenchⓇ has been made possible thanks to players of the National Lottery and is one of 10 The Friendly Benches supported by The National Lottery Community Fund which are being installed across the England.
More information about what will be happening at The Friendly BenchⓇ Boston can be found on their social media pages Twitter: @LincolnshireCVS, Facebook: @LincolnshireCVS or you can email Jackie Lane at: jackielane@lincolnshirecvs.org.uk
To hear Lyndsey’s interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Jess Lord, here is the full piece: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bx90g9