Reflection Benches

Over the summer we have unveiled our first two Reflection Benches, at Abbey Wood and Dartmouth.

The reflection benches, which HELP are donating to multiple defence sites across the UK are inspired by the Netflix series After Life. In the programme, Ricky Gervais’ character ‘Tony’ often visits the graveyard where his wife is laid to rest following her death from cancer. Tony sits on a bench to reflect; while talking to his wife, he openly contemplates the value of his life. At the graveyard he meets ‘Anne’ who also sits on an adjacent bench visiting her late husband. Despite having nothing in common other than the powerful bond of shared grief, Tony and Anne talk openly about mental health and learn to trust and support each other.

The reflection benches are not a memorial bench, but a visual reminder to acknowledge importance of mental health and also a place to take time out from our busy days. They are intended to support us in becoming aware of other people and to have the confidence to start a conversation. Additionally they are somewhere where you can gain information and get support for yourselves and other people in a discreet way through the QR codes which are embedded in the benches.

Thank you to Jim's friends and colleagues at Abbey Wood who went to a great deal of effort to ensure the area was inviting and who supported the opening on the day, and to all those involved with the installation of the reflection benches at Dartmouth and the first class hospitality. It was also a valuable opportunity to chat to some of the young Officer Cadets who attended the opening about the importance of self care.