Park yourself and have a chat on the Crumlin Glen 'Buddy Bench'

Pictured at Crumlin Glen Buddy Bench. L-R, Pictured at Lilian Bland Buddy Bench. Back row: Leah Glass, Health & Wellbeing Locality Lead HSCNI, Tom Irvine, Vice Chair FOCUS, Councillor Andrew McAuley and William Smyth, Youth mentor FOCUS. Front Row: Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross and Valerie Adams Chairperson Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network

The benches will be a beacon for conversation as strangers strike up a chat while they take in the beauty of Antrim and Newtownabbey’s finest parks.

The benches are located at Lilian Bland, Hazelbank Park, Crumlin Glen and Sixmilewater Park. This further rollout of the benches stems from the success of the other Buddy Benches within the Borough, located at Antrim Castle Gardens and Castle Mall.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross said; “Buddy Benches have been installed in another four locations across the Borough, three of these benches were upcycled with fresh and vibrant blue paint. They’re installed to encourage people to pause their busy lives and take five minutes to take in the scenery and have a chat with someone.

“Loneliness is a big issue and through initiatives such as this and our ‘Warm Welcome’ events, we hope to make good community connections this winter, supporting each other, reaching out to other people and building communities.”

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Valerie Adams, Chairperson of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network added; “I am delighted the four Buddy Benches have expanded provision to more areas of the Borough. I thank all involved in this initiative, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the young people from FOCUS and the Northern Trust for providing a contribution that assisted with the renovation of the benches. Finally, all members of the Network’s Keeping Connected Group have played an integral part in the process, well done all.”