Chatty benches
Anchor's chatty benches are popping up all over the country to help combat loneliness and bring people together. Colourful signs added to existing benches are letting everyone know that by sitting on them you're happy to chat with whoever joins you.
It鈥檚 a simple idea but as England鈥檚 largest provider of specialist housing and care for those in later life, we know the positive impact of creating safe environments for people to connect. The chatty bench plaques act as a talking point and encourage those who see them to reach out and spark up conversations with the people around them.
听
We鈥檝e seen the benefits of chatty benches to the residents of our care homes and specialist housing locations and we鈥檙e working to bring more and more of them to public spaces across the country. Get involved by finding your nearest public chatty bench below or get in touch to help bring great conversations to your local community.听
Conversation starter ideas
听(updated Oct 2023)
We know that starting conversations can sometimes be hard, so we have put together a fun conversation menu of light-hearted questions to听help you get talking, find some common ground and听build rapport with the new people you meet.听
Creating a chatty bench near you
If you would like a chatty bench plaque to add to a seat or bench near you, please get in touch with Lauren Smith, Anchor's Resident Wellbeing Lead听for more information.
Email us to get a chatty bench plaque
Where you can find Anchor chatty benches
We've created a map to show where you can find publicly accessible Anchor chatty benches. Save and revisit this page regularly to see when new plaques and benches are added.
New Chatty Benches at Bolton Abbey
We are pleased to celebrate the installation of our 700th Chatty Bench at the historic landmark Bolton Abbey near Skipton in Yorkshire.
Find out more-
![Be Well resident wellbeing services]()
Be Well resident wellbeing services
Find out about our range of resident wellbeing services supporting you to stay active, healthy and feel part of your retirement communities.
-
![Be Digital]()
Be Digital
Residents can receive free support on all things digital through our Be Digital programme. Find out about our network of Digital Volunteers and the training and resources available to you.
-
![Be Active]()
Be Active
Our Be Active wellness and movement programme offers residents a range of free resources to support you in taking care of your health and wellbeing. Find out more.
-
![Be Skilled]()
Be Skilled
Be Skilled is our exclusive online learning resource for people living with听us听who wish to expand their knowledge. Find out more about our range of free courses.
-
![Be Connected]()
Be Connected
Be Connected supports and encourages our residents to connect and engage with others through a variety of initiatives that looks to combat loneliness and reduce social isolation.
-
![Be Wise services]()
Be Wise services
Our Be Wise services offer free and confidential advice to all Anchor residents and colleagues on a range of topics to make the most of your money.
-
![Properties to rent]()
Properties to rent
Our properties to rent offer affordable housing options at more than 1100 locations across the country, providing you with a wealth of choice.
-
![Properties for sale]()
Properties for sale
Our retirement properties for sale offer you the opportunity to own your perfect home with peace of mind that maintenance of the building and grounds will be taken care of.
-
![Older Persons Shared Ownership]()
Older Persons Shared Ownership
At some Anchor developments we offer the opportunity to buy a home through the Older Persons Shared Ownership scheme.听Also known as OPSO, find out more about this subsided scheme.
-
![91制片厂]()
91制片厂
With more than 60 years of experience, we are an established and trusted not-for-profit care home provider with more than 120 residential homes across the country.
