Thrive LDN is working with partners rollout a community bench scheme across London. Community bench schemes, or perhaps better known as Happy to Chat Benches or Friendship Benches, have been successful in other parts of the UK and globally to tackle loneliness and isolation in the community.

The benches will be named Acts Of Kindness Benches, or ‘A-O-K Benches’ for short, to coincide with their launch on National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

The roll out a community bench scheme in London was developed by and has the support of the Thrive LDN Champions Network. The benches should be advertised to community volunteers/ residents’ groups who can support their use. However, the benches are versatile, for example in some areas of the UK community police officers have sat on the bench which was advertised to residents.

Please complete the form as fully as possible for each nominated community bench in your borough.  We’d be grateful if you could also supply a photo of the bench(es) in your borough once the AOK Bench sign has been installed – this will help us to help you promote the benches on an interactive map.

Please complete this form by Friday, 14 February 2020.