Matt Tonge memorial bench granted 'Happy to Chat' status in Haydock

As reported by the Star last month, Matt Tonge's memorial bench has quickly become a community hub where people across Haydock now meet to chat about their problems or anything on their mind.

The construction of the bench was organised by Matt's dad Paul in May 2022, after the much-loved 34-year-old suffered a fatal cardiac arrest twelve months earlier.

And while the Clipsey Lane bench remains a place of reflection for Matt's family, it has become a wider good for the community after Stuart Davies proposed the idea of it becoming a meeting place for people to speak about their mental health.

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Paul organised the bench to be installed around the first anniversary of Matt's death (Image: Paul Tonge)

Although Stuart did not previously know the Tonge family, he has suffered from mental health problems and thought an open, inclusive space to meet local people would be a positive thing for the community.

Paul agreed and for the past six months, the bench has since become a weekly meeting point for people across the community to come and chat about whatever is on their mind.

Attracting more and more people each week, the bench has now become an official 'Happy to Chat' location so that residents are aware it is a place to be open and talk to others about what's on their mind.

Stuart Davies (right) got in touch with Paul (left) about turning the bench into a community meeting spot (Image: Paul Tonge)

Promoted by St Helens Wellbeing service, the 'Happy to Chat' concept was started following a suicide awareness campaign and to combat the loneliness and isolation caused by the pandemic.

Although a small gesture, there is a genuine sense that communicating with others can go a long way in overcoming mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or loneliness, and there are now more than 25 benches across the borough with the happy-to-chat idea.

The 'Happy to Chat' registration makes it known that it is a place where you can speak about your mental health (Image: Paul Tonge)

Paul, a pest control worker at St Helens Council, said: "The community coming together [at the bench] is a wonderful thing.

"I was at Matt's bench the other day and around 20 people said hello, but I only knew two of them before I put Matt's bench here!

"No one needs to be on their own and we provide that place where conversations can be made; taking time to talk and listen to people does have a massive impact."

Matt's grandad at the memorial bench (Image: Paul Tonge)

With Matt's bench receiving a 'Happy to Chat' plaque, people from across St Helens will be able to find out about the location on the wellbeing service website.

And while the bench is now used for the good community, the spot is still a place where Paul can come to keep his son's memory alive.

He added: "The bench helps me to keep Matt's memory alive in so many ways; hearing about who he was through stories from the past from his work colleagues and friends.

"It’s heartwarming to hear the affection people have for him."

Matt tragically passed away from a cardiac arrest, aged 34 (Image: Paul Tonge)

The Clipsey Lane Happy to Chat bench have weekly meetings on Saturday mornings from 10am.