Benches a conversation starter ahead of Games
SIX new ‘talking benches’ will be situated around Guernsey ahead of the Island Games.
The benches are part of an initiative to get people talking about suicide, which organisers said could be the difference between a person’s life and death.
They provide a safe space to open discussion with people who are struggling, and show there are others willing to listen and support.
‘It was recently published in the Guernsey Press that there has been a spike in suicides here. That is not good news at all, but shows the importance of these benches and the importance of talking to people,’ said Talking Benches founder Sarah Bamford.
‘It could be as simple as making conversation about the Island Games, but you could be the only person that someone has spoken to that day.’
Figures from the Health & Social Care committee showed there were about 40 deaths between 2017 and 2022 due to suicide or injury of undetermined intent.
While there were six or seven a year between 2017 and 2019, the figure rose to nine in 2020 and 11 in 2021.
‘People worry that they don’t know what to say, but it doesn’t matter – it’s about breaking a person’s thought pattern,’ said Guernsey Mind chief executive Jo Cottell.
‘Talking is key and listening to what people have to say.’
The project is supported by the Lions Club and Norman Piette.
Lions Club president Paul Allaway said that anything which could improve someone’s mental health was worth the investment of time. Norman Piette marketing co-ordinator Dalen Vile said the benches were worth the money if they helped just one person.
The benches arrived plain and flat-packed. The team at GO put them together and decorated them in bright green and orange.
Two benches will be placed at the Corbet Field, Vale Rec’s home ground, one at Footes Lane, one at the indoor bowls centre at Hougue du Pommier, one at Beau Sejour and one at the Model Yacht Pond.
