New ‘chatty bench’ initiative to be trialled in Fingal to help tackle loneliness
A new initiative, known as a ‘chatty bench’, will be installed in Fingal help “combat loneliness and isolation”.
The bench will have special signage to let people know they can sit and have a conversation with strangers if they are feeling lonely.
The idea was introduced at a local area meeting for Fingal County Council (FCC) where councillors said it would help “combat loneliness and isolation”.
Introducing the motion, Fianna Fáil councillor for Howth-Malahide, Cathal Haughey, said a pilot bench would be introduced in Malahide.
“In an era when people are feeling more lonely and isolated, it’s a really good idea,” he said.
“A few local authorities in the north of Ireland have introduced these chatty benches where there’s some sort of sign to let people know you want to have a chat with someone – and it’s worked really well.
“If we could install signage on already existing benches, it shouldn’t come at a big cost – hopefully we can get it up and running soon.”
The council was contacted by Malahide Lions Club who introduced the idea. The operations department of FCC will meet with a representative from the club to install the first bench.
“People in Fingal don’t have the same opportunities they had to meet up,” Mr Haughey said.
“Before Covid, older people had a routine of meeting up with friends and going on walks or meeting up in villages or town centres.
“I suppose that habit hasn’t come back yet and we have a lot of people who do not have the money to always go to a café or a restaurant to meet with other people.
“A bench like this will allow them the opportunity to meet strangers and let them know they can approach them and talk to them.
“We don’t want to all be strangers, we want to be a community.”
Cllr Haughey added that he hoped the benches will support people in Fingal who are struggling with mental health.
“A lot of people near me are indoors all day, every day and watching the TV. We’ve seen so many reports about loneliness and isolation in our counties – it’s important to find ways to change this,” he said.
“There are people whose wife or husband might have passed away who could really benefit from something like this.”