English Heritage is rolling out an innovative initiative to address the pervasive issue of parental isolation by introducing "bonding benches" across its network of historic properties. This pioneering scheme aims to foster connections among parents during family day trips to castles, Roman forts, and other heritage sites.
Addressing a Widespread Problem
Recent research from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has highlighted a concerning trend: 62 percent of new parents report feeling lonely or isolated at least some of the time. Additionally, 87 percent feel overwhelmed by the demands of modern parenthood. The study, released last month, further revealed that nearly a quarter (23 percent) of new parents lack a strong support network, underscoring the urgency of interventions like the bonding benches.
How the Bonding Benches Work
The benches will be strategically placed in family-friendly areas such as playgrounds and open grasslands at English Heritage's more than 400 sites. Each bench features a unique slider mechanism that allows users to indicate their social preferences. Parents can adjust the slider between "up for a chat" and "craving quiet," providing a subtle yet effective way to signal openness to conversation without pressure.
Emma Fernandes Lopes, assistant operations director at English Heritage, explained the rationale behind the initiative. "As parents, we are hardwired to prioritise our children’s wellbeing. We bring them to wonderful places like English Heritage sites to explore the outdoors and expand their horizons. However, we often forget that the key to children’s wellbeing is actually found in whether their parents feel happy and supported," she said.
Expanding Support Through Activities
In addition to the benches, English Heritage will host communal activities for young families, including NCT volunteer-led sling and buggy walks at selected sites. These free walks are designed to help new, pre-school, and expectant parents meet in the fresh air and share experiences. Initial locations for these walks include Audley End in Essex, Kenwood in North London, Marble Hill in South West London, Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, and Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. The charity is actively seeking more volunteers to expand this program to other sites.
Families constitute approximately 35 percent of all visits to English Heritage properties, which range from medieval castles to a Cold War bunker. This significant demographic presence positions the charity uniquely to facilitate connections among like-minded parents. The bonding benches are set to be installed ahead of the upcoming half-term holidays, with the goal of helping families take the first step toward building supportive relationships while their children play.
"Modern parenthood can be a really isolating experience," Fernandes Lopes added. "Many parents live far from their extended families and have no support network to rely on. It’s often challenging to make friends who share the same values and interests. With families making up more than a third of all English Heritage visits, we want to use our sites to help parents make those essential connections."
