'Chatty benches' launched in Lincolnshire stations to help fight loneliness

A new initiative has been launched in several stations in Lincolnshire to help end loneliness.

'Chatty benches' have been installed at Cleethorpes, Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe and Barnetby by railway operator TransPennine Express.

Each bench aims to try to get people to have a conversation or just to say hello.

TransPennine Express has teamed up with Campaign to End Loneliness to deliver the scheme.

In a recent study conducted by the Campaign to End Loneliness, 71% of adults in the North of England thought that loneliness would be a serious issue beyond Covid-19.

Partnership Marketing Manager for TransPennine Express, Lisa Hewitt, said:

“We’re very excited to be launching the ‘chatty benches’ initiative at stations throughout the North. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in cases of loneliness and so we know, now more than ever, getting together has never felt better. We want to raise awareness of the issue and encourage moments of interaction to support those who have experienced loneliness, helping them make new connections whilst also enabling them to reconnect with family and friends.

“Loneliness affects so many people in the UK and we share the vision of the Campaign to End Loneliness that everyone can live a life free from chronic loneliness. We want to encourage people to get out and about and make those human connections that we all need, and as a provider of travel, we know we can help make a difference.”

The benches, that will be clearly signposted in TPE’s managed stations, will be cleaned throughout the day to ensure they are safe for people to use.

Robin Hewings, Programme Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, said:

"Tackling loneliness by helping people to build social connections is really important. Loneliness can be felt by people of all ages and backgrounds and can seriously impact people’s quality of life and even their health.

“We are delighted that TransPennine Express has launched the ‘chatty benches’ initiative. We hope that passengers take advantage of the scheme as you never know who you may be talking to and what a huge difference it could make to that person’s wellbeing.”

TPE will also be taking on the Campaign to End Loneliness employer’s pledge, setting up pathways and signage for colleagues to access support and training resources will be made available so colleagues can recognise if someone may be experiencing loneliness.

The ‘chatty benches’ will be signposted and visible at TPE managed stations across the North.

To find out more about TPE and the Campaign to End Loneliness visit: https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/loneliness and https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/

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• Grimsby
• scunthorpe
• barnetby
• campaign to end loneliness
• transpennine express
• cleethorpes