THREE ‘talking benches’ have been designated by Wellington Town Council, encouraging people to have open discussions about mental health and to offer support to others within the community.

The council launched the project on Monday, May 12, for Mental Health Awareness Week - which is running from May 12 to 18 - inspired by this year’s theme, ‘community, celebrating the power and importance of the people around us’.

The ‘talking benches’ each have a plaque that reads "A problem shared is a problem halved" with a QR code link to the Samaritans website

The Friends of Wellington Park sponsored the first plaque in the park which was unveiled at the end of April.

Friends of Wellington Park chairman, Roger Nunn said: "I saw this first in Abington when visiting my daughter.

“I queried it and was told that, if you're feeling in need of a chat or company, you sit on the bench and anyone coming along, who wants to, can join you and start a conversation. I thought it was a great idea, discussed it with Darren (Hill) from the Town Council, and now here it is.”

Wellington Town Council open spaces manager, Darren Hill said he was delighted to fully support the idea, having seen the impact of the same project in other locations.

He said: “I like the idea so much I added signs to two more benches; one is on the mound looking at the cricket square in the playing field and the other is in Monmouth Garden at the top of North Street.

“I hope this goes a small way to help combat loneliness and encourages community interaction across all ages.”

Since 2001 the Mental Health Awareness Foundation has led the week-long project, bringing the UK together to focus on improving knowledge on mental health and enabling conversations.