Chatty benches installed in shopping centre

The chatty benches are designed to encourage conversations and combat loneliness

Benches encouraging people to talk about their mental health have been placed around a shopping centre.

The three so-called "chatty benches" are situated at Castlepoint in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Designed by illustration students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), the colourful seats are intended to look inviting to passers-by.

Shoppers are encouraged to sit on the benches if they are open to having a conversation.

The bright colours are used in colour therapy to relax and stimulate people, designer Erin Cooper said

Erin Cooper, a BA (Hons) illustration student who designed one of the benches, said she had recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder herself.

"I’ve found that talking about it has really helped," she said.

"It’s my coping mechanism, so I hope that these chatty benches can help others open up too.”

The benches are part of a wider initiative at Castlepoint to raise awareness of mental health and funds for Dorset Mind.

David Pickett, the shopping centre's manager, said: “As well as being artistically designed by the students at AUB, the benches also come with a plaque saying, ‘sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello’.

"And that’s what it’s all about; just making the time to say 'hello' can really make a big difference to those who don’t speak with many people during their regular day-to-day.”