Members of the public will be able to listen to recorded stories of resilience and leave messages of encouragement to others when a ‘talking bench’ arrives in Stafford.
The interactive listening post will be at the Gatehouse Theatre between 23 and 26 February and is touring the Midlands alongside a production of haunted love story The King Stone.
The Talking Bench has been developed with input from community consultants and provides a creative way to shine a light on mental health challenges, and to encourage dialogue in places where people live, work and visit.
Producer Alastair Michael said: “By transforming a bench into a listening post and creative platform, the Talking Bench hopes to foster conversation, promote reflection, and make support more visible within community spaces.”
Alex Harrison, Chief Development Officer at men’s mental health charity Tough Enough To Care, said: “When men speak openly about their mental health, stigma loses its power and amazing projects like the ‘Talking Bench’ create spaces where silence is replaced with strength, connection, and hope.”
The King Stone is a new theatre production set in the Peak District about the Nine Ladies stone circle.
