Shoppers and visitors at Cape Quarter Mall in Green Point might have noticed the bright yellow bench stationed on the top floor of the mall.
Dubbed The Kind Heart Bench, this latest offering is aimed at creating awareness around mental health. It was unveiled on Mandela Day (18 July).
Bradley Bailey, founder of the Kind Heart Bench Project, says the bench creates a space where people can sit down, “relax, take a breather”.
He explains that they partnered with organisations such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) and Hope House Counselling services.
“It is in a public space surrounded by businesses and restaurants, so these tenants can now come out and sit and relax. With our partners Sadag and Hope House Counselling services their numbers are there, and people can reach out to them.”
Bailey says that the idea behind the Kind Heart Bench project was initiated after a family member was bullied.
The first bench – the yellow chair was placed at Groote Schuur High School in 2014.
Bailey explains that they decided to unveil the project on Mandela Day to pay forward Madiba’s legacy of making a difference.
“We, as a society, can make a difference for not just 67 minutes. Just for today, think of someone else that is less fortunate, just for today make a difference. If we can have that ethos permeating through our communities, our own homes, culture, then we will have a ripple effect that can make an impact.”
He says the latest unveiling brings to nine the number of similar benches around the province (“Launch of Kind Heart Bench ‘first of its kind’ for public transport spaces”, People’s Post, 6 June 2023).
Shannon Clarke, Cape Quarter Centre Manager, says: “Everyone was affected by Covid-19, but retail was serious. A lot of people didn’t have work and struggled to live their lives. We believe that mental health after Covid-19 is not being addressed, so people are still sitting with that trauma and you need a space to release it.”
Clarke says the aim is to create a safe space for dialogue.
“I talk to people in public spaces all the time. And just being able to get things off your chest is easier if it’s someone you don’t know. I run around this centre all day and when I sit down at my desk I think, I didn’t breathe properly and that is why we wanted to be involved.
“We want visitors and shoppers to stop and take a moment for themselves. Some people are in dire need of knowing that that phone number is there if they need help. I think it sends a positive message out there that people do care.”
Megan Hodgkinson, design coordinator for RDC Property group, who developed the mall, says they decided to get involved because mental health affects everyone.
“I know first-hand how difficult it can be to find access to the right facilities to be able to not just have to take this huge step of going to find a therapist, but just to be able to have a conversation with people to let them know how you are doing inside. Sometimes the best support is sitting right next to you.
Hodgkinson says the bench provides a space where people can sit and connect.
“We spend all day walking past people who could be struggling with the exact same issues that we are, or they might have the answers to them, and we don’t actually take the time to sit and connect with those people.”
Bailey says two benches will be installed at St Oswald Church in Milnerton next month.
