Hays agencies build community ties with ‘happy to chat’ bench and books

Hays Travel agencies in County Durham and Northern Ireland are building community ties with a new ‘happy to chat’ bench and books for a local nursery.

 

The agents in Billingham, County Durham, sponsored a new bench outside their shop to provide a welcoming place for local people to sit and chat.

 

The bench is engraved with the words: “This bench is a tiny destination. Stay a moment, share a story.”

 

Branch manager Charlotte Sigsworth said: “We are all about our community. As a branch, we wanted to be able to support our local people and provide a welcoming space for people to sit and chat.

 

“Some people go all day without talking to anyone, some people need to offload, and some people may just need a friendly face to share a story or to take a break from everyday stresses and strains.”

 

Hays Travel Billingham previously donated a friendship bench to Priors Mill C of E Primary School in 2018.

 

The team has also been supporting local charity, the Headlight Project, for the past four years. Their most recent fundraising event was a Christmas quiz that raised more than £1,000.

 

Anne Cullum, Headlight Project chief executive, said: “Since 2023, their team has raised over £6,000. The funds raised help us to continue our vital work, supporting families and friends bereaved by suicide and delivering preventative education across the Tees Valley.”

 

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Meanwhile, the agency in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, sponsored a book bundle for a local nursery school (pictured below).

 

The branch partnered with Amy McFarland, who recently started a small book business with Usborne Books, with a strong focus on supporting children’s learning, wellbeing and mental health.

 

Her children’s book bundles are donated to primary schools to support emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience and a love of reading.

 

Branch manager Kate Heggarty said: “Children across Northern Ireland are currently facing significant mental health challenges.

 

“Early access to the right books, particularly those that help children understand emotions, build self-esteem, and feel supported, can make a real difference.

 

“It was a privilege for Hays Travel Coleraine to sponsor one of these book bundles for Kylemore Nursery School.

 

“The sponsorship delivers bundles directly into schools that may otherwise struggle to fund new resources, ensuring that children who need them most can benefit.”

 

McFarland said: “I started working with Usborne as I’ve always been passionate about helping children develop a love of reading and supporting families with accessible resources.

 

“Working with local businesses to sponsor these bundles meant we could place valuable resources directly into schools and nurseries in our community, helping children, parents and staff access supportive stories and tools.”