Let’s Connect! Benches
Sparking Social Connections through Conversation
Let’s Connect! benches are a great way to encourage people to connect with others. Their placement and purpose are to promote impromptu social engagements. Let’s Connect! Benches facilitate conversations and connections that can uplift and change the outcome of someone’s day.
Researchers have found that sitting on benches allows people to spend more time outside, which is both beneficial for mental health and allows people to connect with others in their community. They also found that access to public benches are beneficial for physical health, as they can provide resting places for those with limited mobility.
We also know that a small moment of connection during someone’s day can have a real impact in alleviating feelings of loneliness. We hope these benches will encourage community members to say hello and have a quick conversation with someone who may be sitting on the bench. Even if it’s just a comment on the weather. Speaking to someone can make a significant difference in their mental health and well-being.
Be part of a social movement to connect with one another in a positive way!
What to talk about?
Take time to sit on a bench and talk with a neighbor, friend, or complete stranger.
Connect with someone of a different age, walk of life and preferences.
Don’t be afraid to ask a question and don’t be afraid to respectfully say you don’t want to answer a particular question. It’s all about making a human connection, even for a few minutes.
We have put together some starter questions to help spark conversations:
- What makes you smile?
- What makes you laugh?
- What is your favorite beverage?
- What is your favorite season?
- Do you have a favorite tree? Vegetable? Fruit?
- If someone were to bake something for you, what would you choose?
- What’s a favorite memory from childhood?
- If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
- What have you recently learned to do?
- What book, story, poem are you reading right now or did you last read?
- What couldn’t you live without?
- What naughty thing did you get away with when you were younger?
“Social connection is a fundamental human need, as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter.” – From 2023 US Surgeon General’s Report, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation”
Resources
If you’re looking for more information on the risks, here are some sites:
Centers for Disease Control’s Loneliness & Social Isolation
National Institute on Aging Tips for Staying Connected
American Psychological Association: The Risks of Social Isolation
The Chatty Bench Project QUT Design Lab
Be part of a social movement to connect with one another in a positive way!
