Ellie Colton

A Sheffield shopping centre has installed a bright pink “chatty bench” designed by the charity b:friend to encourage conversations and reduce loneliness among older people. The initiative has received positive responses from visitors, including an older widow and a recent university graduate who view the bench as a way to foster openness and connection. The charity, which pairs volunteer befrienders with isolated individuals, hopes the bench will inspire interaction across generations and thanks Orchard Square for supporting the project.