Say hello benches

Loneliness Awareness Week

12-18 June 2023 

“It feels to me like the days of saying hello to strangers in the street, on a bus, or at the park have sadly pretty much become a thing of the past…The ‘Say Hello’ campaign is all about making it that little bit easier to just, well… ‘Say Hello’.” – John Bishop, comedian

Come along and say hello.

12-18 June is Loneliness Awareness Week.  During this week (and one on 21st June!) local benches across the Dudley borough will be “adopted” for the week.  People can go and say hello, get information and take part in an activity.  To find your local bench and what activities are going on please see details below or download a timetable.

We are doing these benches as part of Month of Community, to make connections with local people.  People of all ages can feel lonely.

Benches are being supported by local community groups.  So pop along and say hello…

Halesowen

Halesowen BID will be hosting the say hello bench at their existing friendly bench in the town centre.  Go along between 11am-1pm Monday to Friday and say hello.  The bench will be supported over the days by a wellbeing choir, Home Instead, Halas Homes, dementia friends, The Eden project and there will be a seed and book swap.

Coseley

Just Straight Talk will be hosting a series of activities at a bench in Silver Jubilee Park.

Monday – 10am-4pm – go and make a pom-pom
Tuesday – 10am-2pm – Total Perception CIC
Wednesday 10am-3pm – Coseley Library
Thursday 10am-4pm – take part in some board games
Friday – 9.30-10.15am (boxercise) 10.30-11.30am (cardio tennis) and 12-2pm (cuppa and a chat)

Wordsley

Dudley Council Adult Community Learning and Harry Cafe (Brierley Hill)  are hosting a bench at Wordsley Green.  The bench will be between the shops and the health centre.

Monday 12 June – 11am-1pm

Thursday 15 and Friday 16 June 1-2pm

They will be making friendship bracelets and will have other activities available such as skipping ropes/hula hoops/hand puppets.

Sedgley

There will be two sessions over two weeks at the bench in Vicar Street Gardens, Ladies Walk.

The Beacon Centre will host a bench on Wednesday 14 June, 10am-3pm.  They will have sight awareness activities and information available.

Sedgley Townswomen’s Guild are supporting it Wednesday 21 June, 10am-4pm and they will be running a book swap and a save the bee craft.

Pensnett

High Oak Youth and Community Centre are supporting the bench over 3 days.  Find them in the park next to the Dell Stadium.

Monday 12 June – 11am-12pm (seated exercise) and 6-8pm (sports and crafts)

Tuesday 13 June – 1-3pm (arts and picnic)

Friday 16 June – 6-8pm (sports and crafts)

Dudley

Jasmine Road Gardens will be hosting a bench within their garden.  They will be offering a cuppa and some activities.

Thursday 15 and Friday 16 June 10am-4pm

Saturday 17 June 10am-12pm

Pop along, see the garden and say hello.

Quarry Bank

Mindful moms are running a bench in Stevens Park.  They will be there  saying hello and doing rock painting and positive message writing.

Tuesday 13 June, 10.30am-1pm.

Wall Heath

Friends of Wall Heath Park will be at their new bench saying hello to people passing by.

Wednesday 14 June, 10.30am-1.30pm.  Their activities will be dog themed.

Netherton

Friends of Netherton library will be saying hello to people inside Netherton Library (Savoy Centre, Northfield Road).  They will offering a cuppa and some mindfulness colouring.

Monday 12 June, 11am-2pm