News / television
Bristol park to get an ‘After Life’ bench
‘Hope is Everything’ will be inscribed on a new bench donated to a Bristol park by Netflix.
It is part of a mental health initiative celebrating the launch of the new series of Ricky Gervais After Life, with Gervais’ character in the show, local journalist Tony, often seen sitting on a bench in a churchyard as he reflects on the death of his wife.
Twenty-five benches across the UK have been commissioned with suicide prevention charity the Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm) and feature QR codes leading to online resources and a message of support.
is needed now More than ever
Gervais said: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with Calm and the great work they do.”
Despite featuring on a map of the benches’ locations across the UK, however, the bench in Bristol has yet to appear.
Bristol24/7 understands that the After Life bench has arrived at Ashton Court and is due to be installed in the coming weeks.
The most likely location for the bench is on one side of the mansion – currently hosting jury inquests – close to the main entrance.
The special After Life bench is set to be installed to the right of this side entrance to Ashton Court Mansion – photo: Martin Booth
Calm chief executive Simon Gunning said: “Park benches provide opportunities to reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest.
“That is why we’re delighted to team up with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country – inscribed with that crucial line from the show, ‘Hope is everything’ – to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.”
The bench’s likely location is close to Ashton Court’s south lawn – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Netflix
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