In recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, Housing Association, Platform Home Ownership, donated a friendship bench to Beeston Rylands Junior School.
Close to its The Maltings development in Beeston, Nottingham, the school has received a friendship bench, inscribed with ‘if you can be anything, be kind’, for children to use when they need to talk to someone.
World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone’s mental health. It’s also a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.
A friendship bench, or ‘buddy’ bench is a seat in a school’s playground where a child can go when they want someone to talk to or find a friend to play with.
Catherine Turner, Headteacher at Beeston Rylands Junior School, said: “On behalf of the pupils and staff at Beeston Rylands Junior School, I would like to thank Platform Home Ownership for the donation of a buddy bench.
“The playground is the perfect location to place this beautiful bench and the children will be encouraged to chat with their friends and socialise whilst using it. The bench is a welcome addition to our grounds.”
Kelly Rigley, Regional Sales Manager at Platform Home Ownership, said: “We hope that by donating a buddy bench, it will encourage children at Beeston Rylands Junior School to talk openly to each other and staff about how they’re feeling.
“World Mental Health Day is an important initiative worldwide, and we relish the opportunity to reach out to schools and organisations within our community and provide support for such a deserving cause.”