On 1 October it’s International Day of Older Persons, and we have taken our seats on ‘friendship benches’ across a wide range of European countries. These benches send a clear message: anyone who sits here is up for a chat! In Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, Finland, Norway, Spain and Belgium. Benches help us strike up conversations with one another – something so important in these times of isolation and division. Whether you’re chatting, doing yoga, singing together or having a coffee. And they give people who have difficulty walking a chance to take a breather. Let’s put up more benches everywhere to foster little friendships and greater togetherness.
Here are some quotes from the Green Seniors’ board to our friendship campaign!
The Rainbow Friendship Bench – Drenthe, the Netherlands
What do older people want most? I believe the answer is actually quite simple: to remain part of society. To be seen, heard, and valued; to meet other people and to have places where they feel welcome and can simply be themselves. This is especially important for older LGBTIQ+ people. Many grew up in a time when being open about who you were was far from self-evident. Some have experienced rejection, discrimination, or periods in which they had to hide an important part of themselves. Later in life, when social networks may become smaller, or people become more dependent on others, loneliness and invisibility can become very real concerns.
That is why I chose this particular photo. On the rainbow bench is my friend Marjet, with a good friend she regularly visits residential care homes for older people. Together, they run a program that combines songs and conversation, using music and personal stories to open dialogue about LGBTIQ+ people, ageing, and what it means to remain yourself when moving into residential care. The rainbow bench therefore represents more than a colourful place to sit. It symbolises what Marjet and her friend try to create through these visits: an invitation to meet, listen, talk openly, and make sure older LGBTIQ+ people continue to feel seen and welcome.
This also connects closely with my work as Rainbow Ambassador for the Province of Drenthe. I see again and again that inclusion starts with genuine human connection. Policies and rights matter enormously, but so do the places and moments where people actually meet each other and feel safe enough to share their stories.
Growing older should never mean becoming less visible. We all need places where we can meet, connect and be ourselves.
With love, Henk Nijmeijer
Luxembourg Friendship benches campaign
We, Déi Gréng Seniors, launched a campaign in August / September 2026 to promote the idea of friendship benches in our cities and communes. As there were no friendship benches, we improvised with coloured fabrics and invited elderly persons and their accompanyings to a talk, with cookies and drinks.
Aim: making aware of the situation of many elderly persons who suffer from isolation
Concept of these friendship benches : getting in contact with persons in a non formal manner without any constraints, having the possibility to have a small talk with young and old people
We noticed that in several communes friendship benches exist already, but unfortunately are not really adapted to Seniors (too low; no chair back)
ALL the persons we talked to were very interested and approuved our initiative. Most of them would be pleased to find in the near future such benches in their neighbourhood. A few told us that as they live in a small village, they feel well integrated in their commune.
However what is common to all is the permanent feeling of insecurity, as well in the street, as in their housing (if they are living alone). Some don’t take the risk to go outside without any company. Mobility and adapted housing for Seniors are main topics as well.
So, a lot of good reasons for us to continue our work.
Love from Gaby and Chris
Friendship Benches in UK: A Simple Seat That Can Change a Day
In an age where we are more digitally connected than ever, many older people find themselves feeling increasingly isolated. Family members may live far away, neighbours are often busy, and opportunities for casual conversation have become fewer. Loneliness has quietly become one of the greatest challenges facing older adults, affecting not only emotional wellbeing but also physical health.
Sometimes, however, the simplest ideas can make the greatest difference.
Friendship benches are exactly what they sound like—ordinary park or community benches with an extraordinary purpose. They provide a welcoming place where anyone can sit to signal that they are open to conversation. Whether someone wants to chat for five minutes or simply exchange a smile with a passer-by, the bench creates an invitation for human connection.
For many older people, striking up a conversation can feel difficult. It is not always easy to approach strangers, and there can be a fear of interrupting or being unwelcome. A friendship bench removes much of that uncertainty. It gives people permission to say, “Would you mind if I joined you?” without feeling awkward.
The concept has been adopted by communities around the world in different forms. Some benches carry signs saying “Sit here if you’d like to talk” or “A place for conversation.” Others are brightly painted or decorated by local schools and community groups, making them easy to recognise and inviting to use.
The benefits go far beyond a pleasant chat.
Regular social interaction has been shown to improve mood, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and even support better cognitive health. A brief conversation with a stranger can brighten an afternoon, while repeated encounters may develop into lasting friendships. For someone who lives alone, that weekly conversation in the park could become an important part of their routine.
Friendship benches also help strengthen communities. They encourage people of different ages and backgrounds to talk to one another, creating opportunities for understanding and mutual support. A retired teacher might share stories with a young parent, a newcomer to the area may receive local advice, and someone experiencing a difficult day may simply feel heard.
These benches remind us that conversation is a gift that costs nothing.
Love from Erwin
Benches in the Swedish election campaign
On our bench we had a bowl which contains badges with 5-6 green motos like this one. Children love them and their parents help them choose the ones they like themselves.
They have an interesting history. Very early in the Swedish Greens history an artist was commissioned to draw motives for postcards and badges. A member from Nynäshamn accidentally wrote too many zeros on the order,and we still
have badges and the motives have’nt dated. My bike is better than your car is a favorite amongst adults and dare to be different is a favorite with the children.
Kind regards
Kerstin
Benches in Norway with a breakfast
I send you a photo from one of our morning coffee meetings. We have these now every day at 9 am, and it has turned into something very popular in our building society.
We are seniors in this building society, no persons under the age of 65 get access to a flat here, and we are very keen to make a good atmosphere, and for everyone to feel included and seen.
Many elderly people here are single, and they need to feel they are part of the group, and that they will be taken care of if things do not go well…
Love from Bente
Swinging or cool benches in Finland
We have a lot of benches waiting for children and their carers to come and play for example in Helsinki, swinging benches for new and old friends and shady benches under street trees in Lappeenranta. And outside the main library of Helsinki, Oodi, they have built a “Cooling path and bench”. You can walk through light, foggy rain and even sit down for a moment during the hottest moment of the day. It has just become ready – a bit late of this summer, but a great thing for next summer!
Love from Pirkko
Friendship benches in Germany
Benches enable older people to rediscover public spaces for themselves. You don’t have to buy anything when sitting on a bench; you can simply take part in public life by watching what’s going on or chatting to one another.
For this reasons, friendship benches should not only be placed in parks but also along streets and in busy public spaces—anywhere older and mobility-impaired people want to walk to.
In Scotland and Ireland, this initiative has already begun, with many cities installing colorful “Chatty Benches” that are instantly recognizable by their bright designs.
The original idea comes from Zimbabwe. There, mostly older women—known as “Community Grandmothers”—received trainings and then sat on Friendship Benches outside clinics to listen to people suffering from depression, as there was a shortage of therapists.
The project was so successful that such benches were quickly set up across the country. The model then spread to New York and, in an adapted form, to Europe.
In Hamburg, we’ve set up ‘friendship benches’ (Freundschaftsbänke) with a small sign that says: ‘Anyone who sits here is in the mood for a chat.’ And they can take a little breather. Or you do yoga, sing together or drink a cup of hot tea, when it is cold.
We’ve also turned this into a green campaign featuring a very lightweight green aluminium bench from Green Seniors. We can set them up anywhere and strike up conversations with people.
Love from Christa
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