Tullow men’s shed donate buddy benches across the county

‘BE a friend – make a friend’ is the motto for an initiative by Carlow Mental Health Association (CMHA), which has teamed up with Tullow Men’s Shed to provide ‘buddy benches’ to community groups and organisations.

The benches were donated to Tullow, Bagenalstown, Ballinkillen, Leighlinbridge and Tinryland and are situated in areas where people can come and sit for a chat or be left alone with their thoughts.

Members of Tullow Men’s Shed made the bright, cheery-looking benches, which feature the logo of both organisations and includes a QR code that links to the CMHA website. The website features a list of resources and services that can offer support and help to anyone who may have concerns about their own mental health and well-being or that of someone they care about.

On the website, these resources can be translated into several languages, making the information available to all communities.

CMHA has been working towards promoting positive mental health and encouraging conversations with the aim of reducing the stigma, which is still evident for people experiencing mental health challenges.

It has been active across Co Carlow since 2010 and is delighted to work alongside Tullow Men’s Shed – another organisation promoting connections and a sense of belonging in communities.

The local men’s shed provides a valuable service in Tullow and surrounding areas, where men meet to chat and work alongside each other, sometimes offering a service to their community in the work they produce, but always offering a welcoming place for members to meet and chat and feel at home.