Mental health bench to be a 'beacon of hope'

It is hoped the bench at the Humber Bridge Country Park will encourage people to get support for their mental health

A bench to encourage people to talk about their mental health has been unveiled in East Yorkshire.

The seating has been installed by two charities - Legend on the Bench and Mysterious Minds - near a wellbeing hub at the Humber Bridge Country Park in Hessle.

It features inspirational messages, helpline numbers and a solar panel designed to shine a light from dusk until dawn.

Dawn Stansfield, trustee at Mysterious Minds, said: "I want it [the bench] to be a beacon of light and hope for people and encourage them to seek support."

Former footballer Mickey Hazard unveiled the bench as an ambassador for the Legend on the Bench charity

The bench was unveiled by former Spurs and Chelsea footballer Micky Hazard who started the Legend on the Bench charity after his nephew took his own life in 2019.

The footballer said he hoped the seat would remove the stigma of talking about mental health and wanted people who use it to help others.

He said: "It [the bench] features everything anyone would need to get support and the most important message is that someone is always listening."

Chelsea (left) said she would love to have more benches across Hull and hopes people use it to "reach out" when they need it

Chelsea, founder of Mysterious Minds, who lost her former partner Jamie to suicide in 2016 said she would love to have more benches across Hull and hopes that people use it to "reach out" when they need it.

Her son Jayden added: "It [the bench] is always there to support people no-matter who they are or what they have done."

Hull City legend Dean Windass encouraged people to sit and talk through issues they are facing

Former Hull City striker Dean Windass, who has previously discussed his own struggles with mental health, was amongst the guests at the bench unveiling and said it was "incredible".

Mysterious Minds will hold a candlelight service at Hull Minster on Wednesday 10 December at 19:30 GMT to "remember loved ones" and create "a moment of comfort and hope".

If you are affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices