Happy to Chat Benches

Happy to Chat is a simple yet powerful initiative designed to break down social barriers and combat loneliness. When you sit on a Happy to Chat Bench, you are giving a subtle social nudge to passersby that you are open to a friendly, low-pressure conversations. It removes social anxiety and barriers.

As with the Happy to Chat Benches at TRU, you will see the words
“Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello.”

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Why the benches matter?

Loneliness and social isolation can have devastating effects on physical and mental health. People come to TRU from all over the region, country and world, and living in a new place can be isolating. The benches help combat loneliness, provide an inclusive space, and increase connection.

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The Story Behind the Benches

The movement was sparked in 2019 by Allison Owen-Jones in Cardiff, Wales. Today the benches can be found worldwide including the UK, Canada, the United States, Australia and Poland. Benches can be found in downtowns, parks and/or other high foot traffic environments, and they are also becoming more prominent in college and university setting as a way to decrease loneliness and build connection.

TRU brought the benches to campus in 2026 and was a pan-campus collaboration. The concept was brought forward by Jessica Chadron, Faculty of Nursing; Sara Wolfe, AVP Student Services brought folks together to coordinate the initiative; Peter Robertson, Faculty of Trades and Technology designed and had the 2026 Welding class build the benches; Twyla Exner, Faculty of Arts had students design the themes to go on the benches; and Warren Assuchak, AVP Campus Infrastructure, Sustainability and Ancillary Services helped with finding placement on campus for the benches.

Programming and communications about the Happy to Chat benches is now part of TRU’s Student Life Office.

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Thank you to the following students who designed the themes and the Welding foundations students who built and installed the benches:

Theme designers

• Undersea: Maya Cameron
• Handprints: Zoe Fulton
• Birds: Fausto Richard-Guerrero
• Kamloops Landscape: Maya Kearl
• Apples: Alyssa Ingram
• Flowers: Kaitlyn Bartlett

Welders