IN recognition of anti-bullying week, Oxfordshire housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has donated a friendship bench to a primary school in Abingdon.
Dunmore Primary School, in Northcourt Road, has received a bench inscribed with: ‘We sit, we chat and ask each other questions. We leave as friends, with all good intentions’.
It is for the children to use when they need to talk to someone. Anti-bullying week, which takes place until Friday, November 18, is led by Anti-Bullying Alliance, which is a coalition of organisations and individuals with the aim to create safe environments for children to learn, play and flourish without judgement or scrutiny.
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Sam Bartholomew, head of the school, said: “The friendship bench is a wonderful addition to our playground and provides a comfortable place for children to relax and chat together.”
Campbell Gregg, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “Having a space to socialise with peers, create friendships and be open about mental health from a young age is extremely important.
“We hope that by donating a friendship bench, the pupils at Dunmore Primary School will have the chance to talk openly to each other and staff about how they’re feeling.
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“Anti-bullying week is an important initiative nationwide each year, and we relish the opportunity to reach out to organisations within our community and provide support for such a deserving cause.”
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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.
Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland
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