INNISFAIL – The Buddy Bench movement has finally arrived in town.
The movement is credited to a seven-year-old American boy named Christian Bucks who came up with the idea of a Buddy Bench in 2013.
It was a way to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship by providing a safe space for students to sit when they need a “buddy” to play with.
“I didn’t like to see kids lonely at recess when everyone is just playing with their friends,” Bucks told the Washington Post in 2016.
His idea became viral across the globe with thousands of schools, including in Alberta, now having them.
Innisfail’s École John Wilson Elementary School is now a member of this special fraternity, which is also know as the Friendship Bench.
Last week the Innisfail Kinsmen, after raising the funds for the project, installed a seven-foot long by two and half foot tall red Buddy Bench at the school’s playground.
“We worked closely with the elementary school to determine where they wanted it,” said Donnie Hill, the president of the local Kinsmen. “It's been kind of a long process.
“We saw a need for it. The purpose of it is to promote friendship and to start new friendships,” he added. “If someone's having a rough day it gives the teachers an opportunity to send people to the Buddy Bench to make sure everyone's all included.
“It just breaks down some of those nervous barriers for kids and it's a definitely a worthy cause, and a lot of communities are doing it.”
Hill said a second Buddy Bench will go up in the near future at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School.
Each bench cost about $3,000, he said.
“It's a place where our kids can come when they're seeking connection with a friend,” said Angela Warke, principal of École John Wilson. “If they're looking for somebody to play with, they get to come sit on the bench, and other kids know to look.
“And if they see somebody there, they'll invite them to play,” she added. “Even if they just need some space, they can come and sit there too.”
Warke said school staff have already talked to students about the Buddy Bench and will continue to refer to it at upcoming weekly assemblies.
“Staff might join the children there,” Warke said with a chuckle.
