Allison Owen-Jones developed the original concept of Happy to Chat Bench (HCB) in 2019. Her idea was to create a simple way to let others know that you are open to a chat by tying a laminated message ‘Happy to chat Bench. Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello’ to local benches. This idea has since spread across the world. Benches bearing these words have appeared in amongst other places, Kyiv and nearer to home, Wells (which also has a talking table in Bishops Palace Café).
Shepton Mallet Town Council has dedicated two benches as ‘Happy to Chat Benches’, one in Collett Park and the other in the Market Place.
Mental Health –
• Mind in Somerset Mindline – https://www.mindinsomerset.org.uk/our-services/adult-one-to-one-support/mindline/
• Open Mental Health – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bp-assets/globalassets/somerset/original-blocks/about-us/open-mental-health-service-leaflet.pdf
General Advice –
• Citizens Advice Somerset – https://www.citizensadvicemendip.org.uk
Health and Wellbeing –
• Health Connectors – https://healthconnectionsmendip.org
• Active Befriending – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/our-services/active-befriending/
• Ageing Well – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/our-services/ageing-well-exercise-sessions/
Bereavement –
• Cruse – https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/
• Sands Pregnancy and Baby Loss Helpline – https://www.sands.org.uk/node/18
• Suicide Bereavement Service – https://www.mindinsomerset.org.uk/our-services/somerset-suicide-bereavement-support-service/
Divorce/Relationship Break-up –
• Gingerbread Helpline – https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/what-we-do/contact-us/helpline/
Rape, Sexual Assault or abuse –
• SARSAS Helpline – https://www.sarsas.org.uk/support-and-information/support-services/helpline-e-support-and-live-chat/
Domestic Abuse –
• Somerset Survivors – https://somersetsurvivors.org.uk
Volunteering Opportunities –
• Spark a change https://www.sparkachange.org.uk
Other options for Health and Wellness can be found on the Hello Shepton Website