Students at Seaforth Primary School in Gosnells now have a special place to seek support and build friendships, thanks to the generosity of the Gosnells Rotary Club.
The Buddy Bench, built by the Station Street Men’s Shed, was unveiled at the school last week as a designated spot in the playground where students feeling lonely or in need of someone to talk to can sit, signalling to their peers that they could use some support or companionship.
While Buddy Benches have been around for several years, a recent collaboration between the Rotary Club of Como and the Manning Men’s Shed, endorsed by the WA Department of Education and Men’s Shed Association of WA, inspired the club and others, like the Gosnells Rotary Club, to act as ‘agents’ for similar projects at schools across WA.
As of August 2023, more than 50 Buddy Benches have been made and installed throughout the Perth metro area, thanks to the three-way partnership between Rotary clubs, Men’s Sheds, and local schools.
President of the Gosnells Rotary Club, Paul Jones, who coordinated the installation of the Buddy Bench at Seaforth Primary School, shared how the bench offers students a space to step aside, relax, and feel supported when needed.
“If you’re feeling out of it as a student and don’t have a safe space, anxiety, depression, and other issues can start to set in,” Jones said.
“So this bench offers that safe spot. Students who might be feeling disconnected can step aside and take a moment to rest. The school’s chaplain will also use the bench as a space for counselling students, which is fantastic, and I’m proud to have played a small role in making it happen.”
A landmark 2015 report from the University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute found that in 2013–14, around 314,000 children aged 4-11 in Australia, or nearly 14 per cent, experienced a mental disorder. Anxiety disorders were the second most common, affecting 6.9 per cent of children.
Jones believes that the Buddy Bench can play a role in supporting young students, just as the Men’s Shed offers a space for men to connect and talk through their challenges.
“In some ways, the two programs complement each other.”
“The Men’s Shed was created to give men a space to come together and talk through their problems, and the Buddy Bench is essentially a continuation of that idea, providing a space for students to connect and seek support,” he said.
Many schools let students paint the benches, giving them a sense of ownership and making the space feel more personal.
Jones thanked the Station Street Men’s Shed for their hard work.
“I’m incredibly grateful for their work in creating such a beautiful piece, which is made from strong jarrah wood,” Jones said.
“It’s not only a symbol of support but a lasting feature that will hopefully positively impact students for years to come.”
