Some benches mark a memory. This one marks a promise.
At Stonar School in Wiltshire, a pupil started a group called Helping Hands. The idea was simple and kind: no child should feel left out with nowhere to go. Children who are struggling can find a friend, and the others look out for them. When the families behind the group wanted to recognise it, they came to us for a buddy bench — a place in the school grounds that says, without anyone needing to explain, come and sit here, someone will be along.
From a mock-up to a gift for the school
The first email arrived in late June, just before the end of term. Victoria had seen our Skylark Memorial Bench — the one with birds flying across the sky — and wanted something like it, child-friendly, with a quote running across it and “Helping Hands” somewhere on the bench. There wasn't time to build before the holidays, so we did the next best thing: Suzanne drew up a design in a couple of days, and Victoria printed it and gave it to the school on the last day of term. Her reply when she saw it: “Oh my goodness. Makes me emotional to see.”
The Head asked if the school's name and crest could go on it too — small, on the leg, so it didn't take over. That went into the drawing the same day.
What's carved into it
- “Helping Hands” in flowing script across the top of the backrest, between two birds in flight
- Oak leaves and acorns, rolling hills, ferns and a rising sun
- The quote the school chose: “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” — Taylor Swift
- A carved bird perched on the back post, keeping watch
- The Stonar crest and name on the front leg — there when you look for it
It's solid oak throughout, finished with three coats of Epifanes yacht varnish so it keeps its warm colour outdoors, and it seats three.
Delivered for the new term
The bench left our workshop in Mid Wales in early October and was delivered to the school on 9 October. A few days later we heard back: “Thank you so much for the great bench. The school love it.”
Unveiled at Stonar — and straight into use
In early November the school held an unveiling. The bench was carried into the hall, tied up in red ribbon, and introduced to the pupils in an assembly — the Helping Hands story on the big screen, rows of children cross-legged on the floor listening to why it was there.
Then the ribbon was cut.
Outside, the bench now sits by the classroom windows, looking across the courtyard to the main school building. And it's doing exactly what it was made for — two pupils sat down on it straight away and started chatting.
Paul and Victoria sent us these photos afterwards with a short note: “Many thanks again — it is stunning!” Thank you both, and thank you to Stonar for letting us share them.
Buddy benches, friendship benches and memorial benches
We make a lot of memorial benches, and the Helping Hands bench shows how close they are to buddy benches and friendship benches. Each one is a place to sit that carries a meaning: a person remembered, a group celebrated, a kindness made permanent. The carving does the talking — names, dates, a quote, the birds or animals that mean something — so the bench is never just a bench.
If you're a school, PTA, community group or family thinking about a bench like this, you can start from the Helping Hands Buddy Bench and make it yours: your words, your symbols, your crest. Prices include VAT, schools can order on invoice or purchase order, and we send a drawing for approval before anything is carved. Get in touch — and tell us the story behind it.
