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Nov 2021

Education

Ripon primary school receives 'buddy bench' to combat loneliness

Published: 16 Nov 2021, 12:57 GMT

Updated: 16 Nov 2021, 13:06 GMT

by Connor Creaghan

Children at Moorside Primary School who feel sad or anxious can sit on the bench to indicate to others that they would like to speak to a friend.

Making new friends on the buddy bench.

A primary school in Ripon has been given a new buddy bench to mark anti-bullying week.

Moorside Primary School received the bench from the company Annington, which has been refurbishing former Ministry of Defence homes nearby.

Children who feel sad or anxious can sit on the bench as a signal to others that they need a friend to speak to.

Made with sustainable wood, the buddy bench is engraved with the following poem:

"We sit, we chat and ask each other questions. We leave as friends, with all good intentions."

Claire Rowett, the headteacher at Moorside Primary School, said:

"It’s so important to create a safe and caring environment for children so that they are able to talk about their feelings, especially during such uncertain times.

"A shy or anxious child may struggle to ask someone else for support, which is why the buddy bench is such a vital tool in teaching the children what to do when they feel lonely.

"We are very grateful to Annington for donating the bench to us."

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Annington is one of the largest private owners of residential property in the UK, with over 40,000 homes across England and Wales.

Louise Saunders, sales and marketing manager at Annington, said the company strived to support local communities, adding:

“We are proud to gift the buddy bench to Moorside Primary School, and we hope that the children will be able to use it to create new friendships and feel more confident for many years to come.”

Anti-Bullying Week is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and takes place from November 15 to 19. This year's theme is "one kind word."

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Ripon primary school receives 'buddy bench' to combat loneliness

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