Coventry’s War Memorial Park was 100 years old on 9 July 2021
The park, which is just down the road from our branch, commemorates the people of Coventry who died fighting in the First World War. It attracts around 400,000 visitors every year and receives enthusiastic support from the very active Friends of the War Memorial Park
As part of the celebrations, a new Community Sensory Garden has been opened near the Aviary. Working with Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind, Grapevine and Coventry Samaritans, this new corner of the Park has been designed to counter isolation, encourage conversation and stimulate all the senses. You can learn more about it here.
Time to talk. The benches have been spaced out to make it easy for visitors to start a conversation. The people on the left hand bench had not met those on the right before. The photo is used with their permission
We have sponsored two park benches to encourage people to stop, think and listen to each other. Signs giving details of how to contact Samaritans have been generously donated by Coventry & Warwickshire Print Ltd
A space to think, reflect and just be
Our research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health
Mental Health Foundation, 2021