Plauderbank in Bremerhaven: A new symbol for neighborly conversations!

Plauderbank in Bremerhaven: A new symbol for neighborly conversations!

There is something new in Bremerhaven that invites you to linger and chat: the first chat bench was ceremoniously inaugurated. In fact, the Geestemünde location management has sent a signal for cohesion, which should encourage many Bremerhaven residents to talk to each other. The inauguration took place on June 21st in front of the office at Schillerstrasse 64, where interesting conversations and lively exchanges also took place. A spokesman for the location management explained: “We want to build bridges at a time when many people live past each other,” and that is entirely in the spirit of the Plauderbank, which stands for encounters and togetherness.

But what exactly is a chat bench? As the Nordsee-Zeitung reports, it is a specially marked park bench that encourages people to take a seat and start a conversation. Whoever sits there signals: “I’m ready to talk.” The idea is to create a low-threshold place for praise, criticism, ideas and neighborhood discussions - a welcome change for everyone who is looking for exchange with others. Before the bank speaks its first words, there was music and drinks at the opening and the celebratory cutting of the red ribbon.
North Sea newspaper has reported that the bank will stay in Bremerhaven until July 4th before moving to different locations in the district, such as the Geestemünde market square and Wilkeplatz.

An international concept

The idea behind the chat bench has its roots in England. As Wikipedia describes, the concept was launched in 2018 by police officer Ashley Jones under the name “Chat Bench” to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Today there are hundreds of such benches worldwide - in countries such as Germany, Poland, Spain, the USA and Australia. Chatting benches have already been set up in other German cities such as Rostock, Landau and Berlin. In Oldenburg, for example, these can be found in the city center and in the castle gardens.

Every chat bench is not just a simple bench; it often bears a special marking that appeals to passers-by. Signs with messages like “Sit down, talk to me!” are intended to encourage people to start conversations. In some regions, so-called “Deeper Connection Cards” are also offered, which provide questions or suggested topics for conversations and thus make the interaction even more interesting.
Wikipedia's entry emphasizes that these initiatives help to promote social cohesion and bring spontaneity into dialogue, an approach that is also very welcome in Bremerhaven.

The successful inauguration of the chat bench also aims to have open conversations - a valuable opportunity at a time when many people live next to each other rather than with each other. As the Zevener Zeitung notes, anyone interested can request the bank to use it in their neighborhood. What could be nicer than sitting on a bench, designing the place together and promoting togetherness?