The Buddi Bench is to be launched this Sunday (May 15) in Calverley Grounds, opposite the basketball court.
The project was prompted after observations of how dog walkers were able to enjoy short, no-commitment chats, rather than ignoring one another like strangers, explained Buddi Bench founder Seth Hunter.
“Why do dogwalkers stop to chat when usually we would avoid eye contact and ignore a passing stranger?
“There is an unspoken rule that the chat with a fellow dog lover generally won’t last for more than ten minutes, max!” he said.
“The bench can be used at any time and for any reason – from small issues to more serious concerns, and encourages children to ask for help when they are troubled or simply in need of some company or wanting to play.
“The impact of Covid-19 has shown the essential importance of our need to stay connected to other human beings and how important it is to tackle isolation and loneliness. The ‘buddi bench’ directly helps with these issues,” Seth stressed.
He added that he will be taking a seat on the Buddi Bench in Calverley Grounds on Sunday for anybody that wants an informal chat.
