A Breathing Space bench will be installed on Hillside Crescent in an official unveiling ceremony on World Sight Day (8 October.
The bench is supported by The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Scotland along with NHS24 and Breathing Space, and is one of more than 100 installed since 2018.
The siting of a bench in this way is intended to provide somewhere welcoming to sit where anyone can pause, reflect or begin a conversation about how they are feeling.
Research shows that people with sight loss in the UK are twice as likely to experience depression as others. The major factor is isolation which makes it difficult to get out, meet friends and take part in activities to improve their wellbeing.
The loss of connection contributes to poor mental health, and the Breathing Space bench is designed to combat that.
Cllr James Dalgleish, who will unveil the bench, said: “It is wonderful to see the new “Breathing Space” bench finally being installed in Hillside Crescent Gardens, particularly so on World Sight Day. As well as this being a place for locals and visitors to take some time out from the hectic moments in our lives and focus on their wellbeing, it is important to remember why the bench is being installed and recognise all the life changing work that the staff and volunteers at the RNIB do to support residents who are visually impaired.
Well done to all those involved in getting the bench installed and I look forward to using this new breathing space soon too.”RNIB Scotland Director James Adams says,
“Nobody should have to navigate the emotional side of sight loss alone. Whether that’s through our own counselling and wellbeing services, or simply a conversation on a bench like this one, we want people to know that support exists and that reaching out is a sign of strength. We’re grateful to Breathing Space and NHS24 for working with us to bring it here, right at the heart of our community hub.”
The bench will be unveiled by local councillor, James Dalgleish and representatives from Breathing Space, RNIB Scotland and the blind and partially sighted community. It will be based at Hillside Crescent Gardens, outside RNIB Scotland’s community hub which is home to Café VI, a Product and Advice store, and a range of social and peer-support groups for the blind and partially sighted community.
The bench has been jointly funded by RNIB Scotland and Breathing Space, with costs shared equally between the two organisations.
