New bench to raise awareness of mental health is conversation starter

This mental health awareness concept is support by Healthwatch – as we have carried out our own work on strengthening support for young people in times of crisis or difficulty. The bench is a semi-colon which is used as a symbol of hope. Our Healthwatch volunteer Jackie tried it out with her sister Mel one sunny autumnal day. She said: “I think it’s a great idea. Clevedon is a friendly place and the bench is a good way of getting people together to strike up a conversation.” The bench has been organised by voluntary group We Are Aware with backing from North Somerset Council. Somerset Wood Recycling designed it. There is an information board which includes a crisis number as well as conversational starting points. It is the first of many features planned for the town to boost mental health and combat isolation.