“Come Sit With Us”: New mental health plaques and community bench offer lifeline across Torbay
Public health initiative places support information in rugby clubs, pubs and public spaces to help residents access mental health services quickly and easily
New mental health support plaques and a dedicated community bench are being rolled out across Torbay to help people access support when they need it most.
The initiative, led by Torbay Council’s Public Health team in partnership with SAFE South West, aims to make vital mental health resources more visible and accessible in everyday community spaces.
At Torquay Rugby Club, a new “come sit with us” bench has been installed, complete with plaques directing people to support services. Similar plaques are also being distributed to Paignton Rugby Club and Brixham Rugby Club, as well as pubs across the Bay.
Each plaque signposts users to the Torbay Suicide Prevention Partnership’s online hub, alongside direct contact details for charities including Samaritans and Shout. The goal is to offer multiple ways for people to seek help, whether that’s speaking to someone, sending a message, or simply reading stories of hope.
The project forms part of the wider Torbay Suicide Prevention Action Plan and builds on the legacy of the Baton of Hope, which passed through the area last year. The bench at Torquay Rugby Club was originally introduced as a stop along the Baton’s route, symbolising a place for conversation and connection.
Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said the initiative is a crucial step in tackling a serious issue. Around 20 people die by suicide each year in Torbay, with men accounting for the majority of deaths.
“Sharing stories of recovery and hope is a proven protective factor,” she said. “Suicide is preventable, and suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility.”
Becky Kerbyson, who works at Torquay Rugby Club and was a Baton bearer, said the plaques and bench offer a simple but powerful way to reach people. “Rugby can be quite a male-dominated sport, and we’ve had players who have survived suicide. This shows that when people come together, support is there,” she said.
SAFE South West, a charity working alongside emergency services and communities since 2013, says the idea originated from a firefighter in North Devon. The organisation has since worked with mental health leads and local partners to bring the project to life.
More plaques are set to be installed across Torbay in the coming months, with community groups encouraged to get involved, helping ensure that support is never far away for those who need it.