Brentford FC installs first community bench ‘to spark mental health conversations’

Image: Fábio Carvalho and Michael Caulfield at Robin Grove

Strand on the Green among sites next in line for ‘Talking is the Best Tactic’ campaign

Brentford FC has installed the first of several community benches designed to encourage people to open up about their mental health, with more to follow across west London, including at Strand on the Green Recreation Ground in Chiswick.

The initiative is part of the club’s Talking is the Best Tactic campaign, created to give local residents a calm space to sit, chat and reflect. Each bench includes information signposting to mental health and crisis support services.

Image: The plaque on the newly installed bench at Robin Grove

The first bench, at Robin Grove Recreation Ground in Brentford, was unveiled in conjunction with World Mental Health Day on Friday 10 October.

It was inspired by the work of Brentford’s sports psychologist, Michael Caulfield, who introduced benches at the club’s training ground to give players and staff a quiet, confidential place to talk.

“You can’t get through anything in isolation,” said Caulfield. “Any private problem can only begin to be solved by talking to someone else. Being outside is crucial — you can have a better level of conversation than inside.”

Brentford midfielder Fábio Carvalho attended the opening and spoke about the importance of honest conversations:

“Everyone needs someone they can speak to openly, without feeling judged. Having that conversation when things aren’t going your way helps massively, both on and off the pitch.”

Further benches will be installed in the coming weeks at Lampton Park, Strand on the Green, Carville Hall Park and Watermans Park, familiar spots for many Chiswick and Brentford residents.

The project is being delivered with the London Borough of Hounslow and the NHS West London Trust, expanding on Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s ongoing wellbeing work, which includes free drop-in sessions, yoga, and sport-based talking therapy programmes.

READ ALSO: Brentford FC apparently a good club off the pitch as well as on

Image: Councillor Salman Shaheen with Fábio Carvalho and Michael Caulfield

Cllr Salman Shaheen, Hounslow’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, said:

“When people are feeling at their loneliest, it’s so important they know they have someone to talk to. If that little reminder on a bench in a park saves even one life, then it will have made a difference.”

All images credit to Brentford FC.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar