After a successful appearance at Mental Health Week, ‘The Chatty Bench’ will be back in Faversham Town Square for Loneliness Awareness Week.

Each day different charities and organisations will man ‘The Chatty Bench’ providing conversation and company for those who want it. Diane and Bob from FCS will be there on Friday 17th June and look forward to chatting about everything and anything.

Most of us have felt lonely at some point in our lives. Feelings of loneliness are personal and everyone’s experience of it will be different, but it’s commonly described as the absence of social contact and relationships that we find rewarding or meaningful.

It’s more prevalent than you might think, but it isn’t spoken about much because people often feel ashamed of what others will think of them if they admit that they are lonely. But being able to recognise and say that you are lonely is a strength - not a weakness – and is the first step to making positive changes that will benefit your health and wellbeing.

We’re here to assure you that experiencing loneliness is common, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with you and it doesn’t mean that you are any less worthy or deserving of the kinds of connections you want in your life, and as ironic as it may sound, you are not alone in feeling lonely.