Benches have been put in place in Callander to help get strangers talking to each other in the town.
The ‘Happy to Chat’ benches have been set up at two locations in the town after the plans were first thought up by the boss of the town’s youth project.
Patricia Kent, Callander Youth Project (CYP) manager, found out about the idea online. She said: “I thought it would be a great idea for the Callander community to do. Sadly Callander has seen a lot of suicides over the years and I hoped putting these benches round the town may help, even just to get people talking.
“I originally spoke to the Callander Enterprise group in 2020 however we went in to lock down so I wasn’t able to pursue it.
“I did once again decide to pursue the benches when another young person took his life in July of this year. We purchased a bench for CYP and put it outside the building and I then spoke to the community council and the high school to see if they would be interested in getting a bench.”
Community councillor David King took on the task of speaking to Stirling Council to get permission to put a plaque on a bench in Ancaster Square and at Callander Meadows.
Patricia also managed to get a donation from Lodge Ben Ledi No 614 to pay for a bench at the high school which is also now in place.
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She added: “I know these benches will not stop mental health issue in our town but if they help just one person then they will be worth every bit of money and effort that went into them.”
Community councillor David King said: “Patricia made this suggestion to Callander Community Council in September – the need for some benches around the town where people could sit and chat about any problems. Plaques on these benches would encourage this personal support.
“I originally contacted Stirling Council Land Services to get permission to put plaques on some of the benches. After many emails back and forward, it seemed to lose momentum.
“We (the community council) then drafted in the help of our ward councillor, Martin Earl, who got us through to the department where these decisions are obtained.
“We looked at all the possible benches that would suit. After many discussions, we agreed on one in Ancaster Square and one in the Meadows carpark walkway.”
The community council then obtained the required permission and agreed to pay for and fit the plaques.
David added: “Going forward, we would like to get more plaques on benches to help raise awareness about this heart-breaking illness that affects so many families.”
Trossachs and Teith ward councillor Martin Earl said: “This is a simple but really important initiative. Well done to CYP, the community council and Stirling Council officers for working together to create it.
“Simply having that chat could be really important to someone and be just what was needed.
“A superb idea and I hope we see many more similar benches created across all our communities.”
