ANNINGTON SHARES GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP WITH EDITH WESTON SCHOOL

Children at Edith Weston Primary Academy in Edith Weston, Rutland, are enjoying being back at school this Summer, and the gift of a Buddy Bench from Annington, the company responsible for refurbishing the former MOD homes in the village, is set to help them settle back into their new routine.

The Buddy Bench is designed to help children to combat loneliness and foster friendships, which will be as important as ever in helping them re-adjust to school after lockdown. Children that are feeling sad or anxious can sit on the bench to signal to others that they need a friend to speak to. Made from sustainably sourced wood, the Buddy Bench is personalised with a hand-engraved message to remind all pupils of the importance of supporting one another:

“We sit, we chat and ask each other questions,

We leave as friends, with all good intentions.”

Penny Rawlings, Assistant Headteacher at Edith Weston Primary Academy commented: “It’s so important to create a safe and caring environment for children so that they are able to talk about their feelings, especially during such uncertain times. A shy or anxious child may struggle to ask someone else for support, which is why the Buddy Bench is such a vital tool in teaching the children what to do when they feel lonely, and how to act when they see that someone else needs support. We are very grateful to Annington for donating the bench to us.”

Louise Saunders, Sales and Marketing Manager at Annington, adds: “At Annington, we strive to support local communities wherever we can, right down to the very youngest schoolchildren. We are proud to gift the Buddy Bench to Edith Weston Primary Academy, and we hope that the children will be able to use it to create new friendships and feel more confident for many years to come.”