My name is Wayne and I Established The Red Bench Project in July 2023 as a way of promoting suicide prevention and mental health awareness one bench at a time. With our first bench placed in South Tyneside, we now have several benches around South Tyneside, at Thurston Outdoor Education Centre in Coniston, Ashton-under-Lyne and Margate, with more to be installed around North Tyneside this September 2025 with Sunderland and Blackpool coming soon. We are also trialing The Mini Red Bench Project in schools now and helping our younger children to learn about positive mental health and that it is ok to talk.

Whilst these may look like just an ordinary park bench, they really aren't, they are so much more. They are a safe place for people to sit and gather their thoughts, hopefully calming down enough to stop them from taking that drastic next step. They can also be used as a silent cry for help. Each bench has the number for the Samaritans on it and a QR code directing them to help via the website. Plus if you see someone sitting alone on a bench go over and see if they are ok, they may need someone to talk to, that simple act of kindness of saying hello really can make a difference and show them that they are not alone and that people do care, it can help save a life.

So by choosing to donate to The Red Bench Project you are helping us place more benches in locations where they really are needed. We link up with the local charities and groups nearby and we promote and help them to support those who may need it, those who are struggling. We also place benches in schools and work with them to help educate our children about mental health awareness and being able to talk.

I am someone who has been on BOTH sides of the bench, needing help and support, trying to take my own life, as well as now helping those who need it to stop them from reaching that point that I did! You can see more about my story below...

Plus follow us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheRedBenchProject

Any donation, no matter how big or small means the absolute world to me. But I know times are tough so even if you cannot afford to make a donation, please just give our socials a like or share as that means just as much to us as a donation and both can help to save a life. We just need people to know that there is help and support out there and to make it easier for them to find it and with your help and support that is exactly what The Red Bench Project will do.

So Thank You