Discussing Solitude: Its Understandings and Implications
The Chat Bench Project Expands in Bergisch Gladbach: A New Place to Connect and Combat Loneliness
The Chat Bench project, a global initiative aimed at fostering community dialogue and combating loneliness, has recently expanded in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. A new Chat Bench has been set up in the RheinBerg Gallery, joining the existing one in the park of Villa Zanders.
The Chat Bench in the RheinBerg Gallery is a padded green bench with a sign that identifies it as the "Chat Bench of the Volunteer Exchange, supported by the RheinBerg Gallery". This welcoming seating option, open every Wednesday from 2 to 4 PM from October to April, and in bad weather, invites people to engage in casual conversations.
The idea for the Chat Bench originated in England in 2018 and has since spread around the world. It aims to offer a simple, open space for people to connect, particularly those who might lack community. In Bergisch Gladbach, the Chat Bench serves as a means to combat loneliness by offering a casual exchange between all interested parties, regardless of age.
Every Wednesday, volunteers known as "chatters" gather at the Chat Bench in the RheinBerg Gallery. These volunteers are trained to handle difficult topics, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. The Chat Bench is not just for older people, but aims to connect people with different life realities.
The Chat Bench project has been popular in Bergisch Gladbach since August of this year. So far, mainly adults have taken advantage of the Chat Bench offer. However, the project aims to address the loneliness of older people, encouraging exchange and community in the winter months.
Hajo Tiefenstaedter, a member of the board of the Volunteer Exchange RheinBerg e.V., is excited about the new location and its potential to combat loneliness during the winter months. The Chat Bench is located at Main Street 135, 1465 Bergisch Gladbach. Those interested in volunteering as chatters can sign up via the volunteer exchange website or at the business office in the Gnadenkirche community center.
Flyers for professional help and serious topics are available next to the Chat Bench, provided by the paritarian welfare association and the volunteer exchange. These resources offer additional support for those who might need it, ensuring the Chat Bench remains a safe and welcoming space for all.
The Chat Bench in Bergisch Gladbach is "just getting started" and is looking for more listeners and "chatterers". By engaging in conversation, we can help combat loneliness and build stronger, more connected communities.
- The Chat Bench project, initially established in England, has now expanded into health-and-wellness, specifically mental health, by setting up a bench in the RheinBerg Gallery in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
- The new Chat Bench serves as a lifestyle destination, offering an open space for people to connect and combat loneliness, regardless of their age or background.
- The Chat Bench project, with its home-and-garden setting in the RheinBerg Gallery, provides resources for serious topics and professional help, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
