English Heritage has unveiled a pioneering initiative designed to tackle parental loneliness across its historic sites in the Midlands. The charity is introducing specially designed 'bonding benches' that feature innovative slider mechanisms, allowing parents to signal their social availability.
A Creative Solution to Modern Parenthood Challenges
This innovative approach comes in response to concerning research from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), which reveals that up to 62% of new parents experience feelings of loneliness or isolation at least some of the time. Furthermore, a staggering 87% report feeling overwhelmed by the demands of modern parenthood.
The benches, which are being installed today ahead of the February half term, feature simple slider signs that can be adjusted between two positions: 'up for a chat' and 'craving quiet'. This discreet system allows parents to indicate their current social mood without the pressure of direct interaction, creating a low-pressure environment for connection.
Strategic Placement and Additional Support Activities
English Heritage has strategically positioned these benches near playgrounds and open parkland areas at all their sites open during the half term period. The locations have been carefully chosen to facilitate natural, informal meetings between like-minded parents who are already visiting with their children.
Several notable Midlands locations will feature the bonding benches, including Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, Stokesay Castle in Craven Arms, Shropshire, Wroxeter Roman City near Shrewsbury, and Witley Court and Gardens in Great Witley, Worcestershire.
Emma Fernandes Lopes, Assistant Operations Director at English Heritage, explained the thinking behind the initiative: "As parents, we are hardwired to prioritise our children's wellbeing. We bring them out to wonderful places like English Heritage sites to explore the outdoors and expand their horizons. But we often forget that the key to children's wellbeing is actually found in whether their parents feel happy and supported."
Comprehensive Family Support Programme
The bonding benches form just one part of English Heritage's broader commitment to supporting families. The organisation is also introducing several complementary activities:
- NCT volunteer-led Walk and Talks at selected sites, specifically designed to accommodate sling and buggy walks
- Playgroups and children's crafting sessions at various locations
- Chatty cafés where parents can gather informally
- Adventurer's Checklists featuring 25 engaging tasks for young children, including finding signs of animal life, splashing in puddles, and making sounds in echoey places
Kenilworth Castle has been identified as the most accessible location for buggy walks in the West Midlands, and English Heritage is actively seeking more volunteers to lead similar walks at other sites.
Addressing a Growing Social Issue
Fernandes Lopes highlighted the contemporary challenges facing parents: "Modern parenthood can be a really isolating experience. Many parents live a long way away from their extended families and have no support network to lean back on, and it's often a real challenge to make friends who hold the same values and interests."
With families constituting more than a third of all English Heritage visits, the organisation recognises its unique position to facilitate social connections. The initiative has been developed in alignment with the government's Five Ways to Mental Wellbeing guidance, which emphasises connection, activity, awareness, learning, and giving.
The bonding benches represent a thoughtful, practical response to the isolation many parents experience, transforming historic sites into spaces that support both educational exploration and vital social connection for visiting families.
