Gathering Bench
Benches are a cost-effective social resource that can support healthy everyday activities of Ottawa residents. However, benches also carry the potential to be places where connections and a sense of belonging are created through conversation with others.
As part of iGenOttawa’s efforts to promote the potential of benches to encourage social connectedness, in 2022 it partnered with the Ottawa Tool Library and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) to build a seating area on the grounds of Clementine Towers. This intergenerational “Gathering Bench” was officially opened on June 1, 2022 in celebration of Intergenerational Day. Since then, other Gathering Benches have been built on OCH properties.
iGenOttawa is exploring how to inspire "bench place-making” where Ottawa’s benches are viewed not only as places to briefly rest but as “mini community hubs" that can lead to more neighbourly connections between people of different ages. This in turn can lead to increased sociability, social trust, health, and level of engagement in other aspects of residents’ lives. Isolation diminishes and empathy grows, towards creating a stronger, more age-friendly community.
As part of iGenOttawa’s efforts to promote the potential of benches to encourage social connectedness, in 2022 it partnered with the Ottawa Tool Library and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) to build a seating area on the grounds of Clementine Towers. This intergenerational “Gathering Bench” was officially opened on June 1, 2022 in celebration of Intergenerational Day. Since then, other Gathering Benches have been built on OCH properties.
iGenOttawa is exploring how to inspire "bench place-making” where Ottawa’s benches are viewed not only as places to briefly rest but as “mini community hubs" that can lead to more neighbourly connections between people of different ages. This in turn can lead to increased sociability, social trust, health, and level of engagement in other aspects of residents’ lives. Isolation diminishes and empathy grows, towards creating a stronger, more age-friendly community.