the new Woodley and Wokingham community initiative

My name is Aliya and I am the founder of a new community initiative called HelloBench. It came out of loneliness I experienced after the death of my mother and the breakdown of my marriage. I work from home and days would pass before I saw anyone. To re-connect, I would go to a local park and walk around and sit on one of the benches. And then I heard about 'chatty benches'.

HelloBench is based on the concept of a "chatty bench". However, in my concept I wish to go further and create a nationwide network of HelloBenches. I already have interest for them in N.Ireland and Oxford.

Which brings me to where Chasing the Stigma comes in...

I am a great admirer of their Hub of Hope and it occurred to me that the Hellobenches could be more than just 'chatty benches' - they could also act as a signpost for people who are disconnected and need support.

They could in fact be a signpost to the Hub of Hope.

Every HelloBench will have a sign or will be marked as a HelloBench, and as a place to sit, chat and connect. However they will also have a QR code - taking the person to somewhere else.

And that is where the Hub of Hope comes in. I want them to be directed to the Hub of Hope and I am delighted to announce that Chasing the Sigma love the Hellobench concept and are on board.

Our launch event is next Saturday 13th July 2024 in Woodley, Berkshire and ITV Meridien are sending a crew. I'm also talking to BBC Radio Berkshire on Friday morning. This might seem like a modest start, however, I am focused on having HelloBenches be as ubiquitous as memorial benches and to be part of Council policy, nationwide.

My goal is to have the brand be recognisable as about community connection and support, and for people to have a concrete representation out there in the world in parks, shopping areas, offices, railways stations (wherever there is a bench) that there are people out there ready to support them. And that there are many places where a person can get re-connected.

The funds are to cover the running cost of a website (thank you very much Webahead webaheadinternet.co.uk) for the next two years at £150 per year and several plaques. Also some hours of social media expertise to set up our social media properly. We are still looking for a long term sign supplier for the bench plaques – so we do not yet have a firm price for the plaques – so this total is an estimate for now. If anyone has any contacts please let me know.