Start a conversation on Murray Bridge’s chatty bench
A new addition to the corner of Sixth Street and South Terrace is hoping to help combat loneliness in the community.
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A new space has been launched encouraging residents and visitors of Murray Bridge to sit and have a chat.
The chatty bench had its opening on Thursday, September 12, in an aim to help combat loneliness and isolation.
The bright yellow bench is located just a short walk from the main street and Murray Bridge Marketplace, on the corner of Sixth Street and South Terrace.
Community members are encouraged to take a seat, have a chat and meet new people who are sitting there or wish to join a conversation.
The seat was crafted by the skilled hands of Andrew Vigar from the Murraylands Community Men’s Shed.
Sheila Millington, community connections worker at AC Care, said her idea had been just something on butcher’s paper at first.
“The idea is that someone will sit there and someone else will see them and sit down as well,” she said.
Ms Millington also helped Murray Bridge start South Australia’s first Community Connections Chatty Café over a year ago.
“We needed something else ... you’re outside with fresh air, and you don’t have to say many words, if you're walking past you can just ask them about the weather.”
Ms Millington’s role helps connect socially isolated individuals to the community.
The idea stemmed from the Chatty Cafe, which is the UK’s leading non-profit organisation tackling loneliness.
The idea had stemmed from a lady noticing the amount of people sitting alone in a local cafe, Ms Millington said.
“She goes 'wouldn’t it be nice if we all sat at the same table’, so she came up with the idea of a yellow tablecloth ... signifying that it’s welcome to anybody, much like the bench,” she said.
Stephen Green, AC Care’s executive manager for out-of-home care, said a third of Australians felt lonely.
“Loneliness doesn't discriminate between gender, age, whether or not you’re wealthy,” he said.
“If you’re lonely you’re four times more likely to have a chronic disease ... depression ... and social anxiety.
“What a better place to ... have meaningful conversations ... feel safe, feel comfortable and to make connections?”
The event was followed by an R U OK morning tea at Murray Bridge Community Centre’s Chatty Cafe.
- Attend the Chatty Cafe: Visit the Square Community Centre at 2 South Terrace, Murray Bridge between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Thursdays.
- Get help: Talk to your GP, visit www.healthdirect.gov.au/loneliness-isolation-mental-health or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
