Hope Benches Bring an Act of Hope to Lancaster
We can all feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, for some people, that feeling can get too much and it isn’t always easy to find a way back. Finding help can be hard and asking for help can often feel impossible. But there is hope.
Hope Benches is a project created by the Lancaster District Adult Mental Health Forum and brings together local organisations united around mental health awareness and community care. Each bench has been expertly crafted by members of Lancaster Men’s Hub, a local group supporting men’s wellbeing through practical, creative activity.
A new Hope Bench will be officially installed in Lancaster on Friday 15 May at 2pm, near Carlisle Bridge, as part of a local initiative to promote mental wellbeing and ensure people know that help is always close. The bench is being installed by Lancaster City Council and is the first of a series planned across the district.
Hope Benches are designed to provide a quiet, welcoming place to pause, reflect and,
if needed, find clear signposting to local and national mental health support services. Each bench carries simple, reassuring messages, and information to remind people that they are not alone and that support is available.
By placing benches in calm, accessible locations, the project aims to create everyday spaces where people can take a moment for themselves and be gently guided towards help and support.
The wider project has been supported through LifeFest 2025, with backing from the George and Dragon pub, alongside contributions from a range of local partners.
The Hope Benches initiative is well timed, with A Million Acts of Hope, a completely separate national campaign, running from 13th to 20th May. This brand-new campaign will bring together hundreds of charities, community organisations, and faith groups across the UK to make hope more visible in everyday life. Running throughout May, A Million Acts of Hope celebrates practical acts of kindness and community action that help build healthier, happier neighbourhoods. The installation of a Hope Bench in Lancaster represents a lasting local act of hope within this wider national movement, demonstrating how small, thoughtful interventions can have a meaningful impact on wellbeing at community level.
Everyone is welcome to attend the installation event on 15th May. If you would like to know about future Hope Benches and where they will be installed, keep an eye on Lancaster District CVS’s social media.
For more information on the Hope Benches and inspiring stories go to the Hope Benches support page.
