Metrorail Western Cape unveiled a Kind Heart Bench on Tuesday. The bench, which is the first of its kind for public transport spaces, is situated at Retreat station. According to the rail agency, Retreat station on the Southern Line, is one of its tourist routes.
PICTURE - Metrorail: Kind heart BenchThe project’s main message is that society and commuters
can serve as a support, a backrest and armrests for people who are feeling down
and need someone to talk to.
In a statement, Metrorail’s acting spokesperson, Zino Mihi,
said the kind heart bench initiative aims to shift people’s perceptions about
mental health and fosters optimism through engagement.
‘’The bench, painted bright yellow as a symbol of hope, serves
as a safe space for persons whose mental wellbeing is impacted by the daily
stresses of life. The project aims to spread a message of inclusion, love and
kindness - creating a new narrative and cultivating a hope that things can
change if we engage and work together,’’ she said.
The campaign is the brainchild of Bradley Bailey, an advocate
for spreading kindness in communities.
The Kind Heart Bench Project sponsors use stumps of trees
that have been cut to be re-used as timber and work closely with local carpenters
to identify areas where these benches could add value.
Important helpline numbers are engraved on the bench (0800
567 567 and 076 882 2775 (WhatsApp).
Metrorail is working closely with key stakeholders in the
field of wellness and mental health including Safer Spaces; Western Cape on
Wellness (WOW); Hope House counselling centre; South African Depression and
Anxiety Group (SADAG) and more to promote the bench.
Done By: Mitchum George
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