Netflix partnered with CALM ‘Campaigns Against Living Miserably’ back in January to inspire conversations across the country on benches. Inspired by Ricky Gervais’ hit show After Life, the aim was for more places where people can chat and reflect much like Gervais’ character does in the show.
There have been benches placed in Leeds and Sheffield by the service which is a free, confidential and anonymous helpline and webchat service that offers advice and information to those struggling or in crisis.
In Sheffield, the bench has been placed the popular Meersbrook park, and then one in Leeds has been placed in Middleton Park. People can find the benches using the whatthreewords app which gives the exact placement of the benches.
Searching: soup.lows.foal will locate the Leeds bench and Sheffields is reduce.aspect.flag.
The latest season of After Life came out on January 14th and ended with a message of hope that life is always worth living.
A statement explaining the sentiment behind the bench on the CALM website reads: “We know benches are a place where you can reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest.
“If you watch After Life you’ll know the bench in the graveyard plays a pivotal part in the show. It’s where Tony talks to Anne, his graveside confidante. They’ve both experienced grief and they meet up regularly – Anne is the one person Tony can let his guard down with, can open up to and be himself.
“And we know talking to someone you trust really can help. Opening up about to your mates or family is not an easy thing to do. But starting that conversation can be the start of getting the support you need. By helping them better understand and support you, you’re giving you – and them – the best chance of doing that.
“So we’ve worked with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country – inscribed with that crucial line from the show, “Hope is everything” – to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.
“We recently added more benches in Sheffield, Reading, Hemel Hempstead, Isle of Wight and Leeds – and we’ve now made all the benches even easier to find using What3words – just download the app and type in the 3 words for your bench.”
Speaking in January to the Press Association, Gervais, the creator of shows including The Office and Extras, said: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with Calm and the great work they do.”
Calm chief executive Simon Gunning said: “Park benches provide opportunities to reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest.
“That is why we’re delighted to team up with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country – inscribed with that crucial line from the show, ‘Hope is everything’ – to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.”
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