The Friendly Bench is an inspiring new movement sweeping across the UK which aims to help tackle loneliness and social isolation in local communities.
Far more than just a bench, The Friendly Bench is a social hub, a mini community garden and a safe social space for anyone feeling isolated, lonely or at a loose end.
The specially-designed seating area, constructed to suit all ages and physical abilities, cleverly incorporates raised plant beds so visitors can enjoy getting green-fingered and connecting with nature as well as new and existing friends.
The Friendly Bench network was founded in 2018 by Lyndsey Young in Leicestershire, where the first two benches were installed. Lyndsey was motivated by first-hand experiences of social isolation and a disconnection from her community.
"The Friendly Bench has helped me with my own issues of loneliness and social isolation, it has helped me reconnect with my own neighbourhood and has also given me an opportunity to positively contribute something to my own community and also the wider world," Lyndsey tells Country Living.
"Through launching the first The Friendly Bench and then, alongside other volunteers, hosting regular events at it, I have met and made friends with people of all ages and backgrounds in my own village. People who, despite living in the area for 16 years, I’d previously not met or even had a conversation with.
"Now, thanks to The Friendly Bench, I have got to know these people, I have met their families, we regularly meet, share stories and laugh together. They are now my friends. I also feel more at home in my community, I feel I belong and I think I have become a better neighbour because it."
Following the success of the first two benches in Bottesford and Newbold Verdon in Leicestershire, over 10 more The Friendly Benches are set to pop-up across the UK in 2020, including in Bury, Ipswich, Chester, Rugby, Rotherham, Halesowen and Leicestershire. Every The Friendly Bench is independently managed and funded and run by it’s own team of volunteers.
"Our ultimate goal is for The Friendly Bench network to cover the length and breadth of the UK, for The Friendly Bench CIC to be working with groups across the country who share our values and understand the importance of building social connections," continues Lyndsey.
This is a lovely example of how creative thinking and community spirit can come together to build something powerful and influential. Here at Country Living, we are shining a light on loneliness in the countryside and ways in which communities can make a difference, as part of our Stand Up To Loneliness campaign. Here are some of our helpful guides:
- 15 organisations that can help people feeling lonely
- How to set up a community café
- How to set up a community shop
- How to set up a rural community choir
- 12 of the best dog breeds to help tackle loneliness
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10 best gardening gloves for thorns, nettles and pulling weeds
Pros
- Strong grip
- Soft and comfortable to wear
- Flexible
Cons
- Bulky
Gardeners with bigger hands will appreciate the room these suede gloves give around the palm and fingers. The grip is excellent, so you can use gardening tools confidently without fear of slippage, and they’re soft and comfortable to wear.
Although they flex well, they’re on the bulkier side, so we recommend using them for bigger jobs.
Pros
- Flexible and comfortable
- Cover wrists well
- Reinforced thumb gussets
Cons
- Not suitable for cold weather
These gloves are sturdy yet flexible, making them ideal for intricate tasks such as planting bulbs and repotting flowers. The padded palms and fingers are water-resistant so you can pick up wet leaves and debris, while the snug-fitting cuff stops soil from getting in.
Pros
- Flexible and comfortable
- Adjustable velcro strap
- Reinforced fingertips
Cons
- Not waterproof
These leather and spandex gardening gloves have reinforced fingertips and leather palms to keep thorns out. They do so successfully, but they aren’t waterproof, so keep them for clearing and pruning when it’s dry. The adjustable Velcro strap gives you the best fit too.
Pros
- Durable
- Grip well and feel secure
- Flexible and comfortable
Cons
- Difficult to clean
These leather and suede gloves keep forearms free from scratches, while the palms grip tools well and the fingers move easily enough to manage fiddly tasks like sowing and pruning.
Elastic keeps them securely fastened around the wrists and the lining is soft — but they're a pain to clean if you get them muddy which, let’s face it, you probably will!
Pros
- Strong grip
- Flexible and comfortable
- Cover wrists well
Cons
- Not waterproof
The strong grip on these gloves makes them ideal for harder grafts, but they’re also flexible enough for lighter tasks. They mould to the shape of your hand and cover your wrists well, but they're not waterproof and thorns may pierce them.
Still, they’re great all-rounders and as cosy as their name suggests.
Pros
- Snug fit
- Good grip
- Flexible and comfortable
Cons
- Not thornproof
These unisex gloves have a sturdy grip thanks to their textured latex fabric, while elasticated cuffs give a snug, but not constricting, fit — they feel like a second skin.
The downside is that anything prickly easily pierces them, but they're a great spring/summer staple for everyday gardening jobs.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Good grip
- Soft and comfortable to wear
Cons
- Not suitable for cold weather
The name promises a lot, but these gloves live up to it. They’re fully waterproof — we submerged them in water to test this — so you can get stuck into some rainy gardening.
The grip is as good as the other ClipGloves on this list and the lining is soft, but you’ll want something thicker for winter.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Good grip
- Flexible
Cons
- May feel uncomfortable in hot weather
These fleece-lined leather gloves are a solid buy for the chillier months. Their grip and pliability are excellent, making them go-tos for both heavy duty and lighter gardening jobs. They stay firmly put thanks to elasticated wrists and are fully waterproof for comfortable use in all conditions.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Secure fit
- Thornproof
Cons
- Not waterproof
These illustrated RHS gloves are beautiful but they’re not all style and no substance. Cushioned palms make using heavy tools comfier, and supple leather keeps the brambles at bay, though it does let in moisture.
Tapered cuffs help mould them securely to your hands but note that they only come in one size.
Pros
- Thornproof
- Secure fit
- Suits light and heavy-duty tasks
Cons
- Difficult to clean
If you want one pair of gloves for all sorts of gardening jobs, this waterproof leather pair moulds well to hands and offers robust protection from prickles. Straps keep them in place during hard work and they’re warm, but the suede is a little tricky to clean.
Emma-Louise Pritchard is the Membership Director for Country Living UK & House Beautiful UK, previously Executive Digital Editor for Country Living UK. Emma-Louise is a digital expert specialising in content strategy, social media and newsletters. Her topics include sustainability, homes and interiors, gardening, health and wellbeing, pets, travel and countryside news. She has previously written for Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan and has won several awards, from AOP Digital Editor of the Year 2019 to PPA 30 Under 30. Emma-Louise studied at Cardiff University where she completed an MA in Magazine Journalism.
