CHILDREN at a Solihull school can support each other after a friendship bench was installed.
The brightly coloured seating area, which was thought up by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), has been designed by pupils at Sharman’s Cross Junior School.
Housebuilder Hayfield donated £500 for the initiative after it was approached by the school’s PTA.
Shereena Delaney, treasurer of the school’s PTA, said: “After the pandemic and having been at home for so long, some of the children were struggling with friendships and mental wellbeing.
“We felt that a friendship bench would be a focal point for children to support each other if they were feeling down or left out, and it has proved a huge success.”
By choosing the style of the bench themselves, the children have taken ownership of the scheme. It is such a good idea and is certainly helping in terms of mental health.”
Sara Hope, human resources director at Hayfield who was on hand to present the bench, said: “Inclusion and positive wellbeing are key values for Hayfield and we are delighted to be able to support the PTA in this valuable initiative.
“We hope the children will enjoy using the bench and that it will be somewhere where they can talk and laugh together.”
