Inspiration from Zimbabwe’s Friendship Bench movement

The Friendship Bench is the very interesting story of 14 grandmothers, who inspired a mental health revolution. A psychiatrist (one of only five in Zimbabwe) partnered with elders in his community, after losing a patient to suicide. In a country traumatised by decades of conflict.

With millions of people in his country suffering from depression, substance abuse and mental illness, he found 14 local grandmothers and pioneered The Friendship Bench program, a now-worldwide phenomenon that addresses such problems, with trained listeners who basically go up to them and sit on a bench and talk.

Set up a Friendly Bench in Your Community

Friendly Benches look like large modular sofas. But these benches are designed to encourage conservation and friendship in public places.

Read up on pet-friendly gardens and wildlife-friendly gardens (also how to stop birds flying into windows).

Grandmas Who Give Out Life Wisdom!

In Japan, people can rent a grandma that gives much-needed income, and helps them feel valued. In return, they teach young people how to cook and give life-lived wisdom. From getting through break-ups to coming out, and even to cheer you on at an event.

In New York, The Grandma Stand is a portable pop-up in Central Park, where on Saturday afternoons people line up behind a lemonade stand to get free empathy and listening ear from a loving grandparent. If you don’t have one of your own, it’s the next best thing!