Have a Seat – and Smile!

A project to smile about has been unveiled in the Denes park in Darlington, organised and donated by a group of primary school children.

The bright red ‘Happiness Bench’ was unveiled this week by children from Reid Street school, who are inviting people to sit on the bench and take happy photos of themselves.
The driving force was the school’s Rotakids group, which is associated with Darlington Rotary.

Rotary President Peter Phillips and Reid Street link Nigel Little helped unveil the bench, after which the children took part in a litter pick around the park.

Vice Principal of Reid Street School and leader of Rotakids, Joanne Davison said: ‘The children are very enthusiastic about helping and improving their community, and the Happiness Bench is a really positive way to help cheer up our environment and hopefully make people smile.’

The £400 bench is made of 100 percent recycled plastic and was bought through a grant from Darlington Rotary and the school’s winnings from a Tees Valley enterprise competition last year.

Rotary link Nigel Little said: ‘These young people are so positive and enthusiastic about their homes, surroundings and community and are a credit to the school. How can you not smile when you’re sat on a bright red bench?’