Oldway volunteers unveil ‘friendship bench’ to mark national week

Oldway Gardens Group marked the start of National Volunteers’ Week with a celebration and the unveiling of a new friendship bench.

National Volunteers’ Week, held annually since 1984, runs from June 2 to 8. It recognises the vital role of volunteers and aims to highlight the impact of their work while strengthening connections between national organisations and local  groups.

The event on June 2 took place at Oldway Mansion in Paignton, the Grade II listed heritage site now  undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration. The new  bench is  beside the tea hut, which was refurbished last year by volunteers, fitted with a defibrillator and placed close to the tennis courts.

The concept of a friendship bench originated in Zimbabwe and has since spread globally. The benches are placed in schools and community spaces as a visible invitation for conversation and connection, especially for those feeling lonely or in need of support.

The 17-acre gardens at Oldway have been maintained solely by the Oldway Gardens Volunteer Group since November 2019. With more than 100 active volunteers, it is now one of the largest community gardening projects in the South West. The group applied for charity status in 2021.

The idea for the friendship bench came from volunteer Jeanne, who officially opened it with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project was made possible by a team of volunteers who laid the patio and restored the bench, alongside a generous donation which covered the cost of materials and paving slabs.

Organisers described it as a “magnificent team effort” and a fitting way to mark Volunteers’ Week.