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A charity that tackles social isolation among older people has unveiled a new bench to encourage conversations between strangers.
The bench, which is bright pink, was designed by charity b:friend and installed in Orchard Square in Sheffield city centre earlier this month.
The charity's CEO Colette Bunker, who came to test the bench herself, said: "As soon as I sat down, somebody came and spoke to me and I thought, 'oh my God, it's working!'
"Loneliness is a condition that we all feel from time to time, and a lot more than we probably like to admit."
Estelle Drummond, who visited the bench just outside Waterstones on Wednesday, said: "I'm a widow, and I'm a people person.
"Talking to somebody, it helps.
"I live on my own and I try to get out as much as possible, and of course I will talk to the world and his wife, but it's important to communicate with other people.
"When you're on your own it's horrible."
B:friend also hope younger generations will get involved.
Ruby, who just graduated from the University of Sheffield and previously worked in Orchard Square, said she thought the bench was "very eye-catching".
"I think the chatty bench is such a good idea, it's really sweet…everyone's really friendly in Sheffield, so I think it's a great idea.
"I used to sit on the benches around there, everyone just had their headphones on, looking at their phone, so hopefully it's a good way to get people to open up."
Bunker said the charity recruits volunteer befrienders, who are paired up with isolated older people in order to support them. She added that these volunteers are often looking for friendship themselves.
She said the concept could work anywhere, and that the charity is "really grateful to Orchard Square for giving us the opportunity".
She added: "It's all about giving people that permission to be a bit vulnerable, to be a bit open and to have those conversations and to get away from their phones and just be in reality for a little bit."
Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
- 'Our bond through a befriending service has been a blessing'
- 'My befriender has taught me how to live again'
