Two ordinary benches in Linthorpe have been given a bright new job: making it a little easier for strangers and neighbours to talk to one another.

The seats, close to the junction of Roman Road and Cambridge Road, have been painted in rainbow colours by Middlesbrough’s new Neighbourhood Caretakers. Their appearance is . Someone sitting on a buddy bench is signalling that they are happy to share a conversation, while anybody passing has an easy reason to stop and say hello.

A simple idea from the neighbourhood

The project came from the Friends of Linthorpe community group, whose members wanted to create an informal response to loneliness and isolation. There is no appointment, membership or organised session attached to the benches. They are simply part of the street, available to someone who wants five quiet minutes or a bit of company.

That lack of formality is part of the appeal. Starting a conversation with someone new can feel awkward, even when both people would welcome it. A distinctive bench provides a shared cue and removes some of the guesswork.

Local resident Joely Dodsworth described the seats as an antidote to a problem that is increasingly visible in the community. Linthorpe councillor Philippa Storey also backed the idea and thanked the Neighbourhood Caretakers for the makeover.

Colour with a practical purpose

The benches are small in scale, and nobody behind them is claiming that a coat of paint can solve loneliness on its own. What they can do is make social contact more visible and give a neighbourhood permission to be friendly in public.

They also show how a community-led idea can be put into practice without waiting for a major construction project. Friends of Linthorpe supplied the concept, the caretakers turned it into something eye-catching and the existing street furniture stayed in useful service.

The council said it hoped more benches could follow. For now, the Roman Road and Cambridge Road seats offer a modest invitation: sit for a while, watch Linthorpe go by and, if someone joins you, make room for a chat.

: The location, purpose and organisations involved were checked against Middlesbrough Council’s report of 6 August 2026. Image: Middlesbrough Council.