The Buddy Bench – Take a Seat, Say Hello!

The Buddy Bench is a simple but powerful idea: a friendly space where smiles and conversations begin. Located on each of the University’s three campuses, these benches are places where there are no strangers — only friends you haven’t met yet!

Each clearly marked Buddy Bench invites you to pause, take a seat, and connect. Sitting there signals that you’re open to a friendly chat — whether it’s a quick hello, a shared story, or a new friendship in the making.

At the heart of the Buddy Bench is inclusion. These intergenerational spaces welcome everyone — of any age, background, or walk of life — to share a moment of connection. They remind us to look out for one another and to notice when someone might appreciate a kind word or friendly company.

For anyone who might be feeling shy, or new to DCU,  the Buddy Bench makes it easy to start a conversation and for people who find communication tricky, it’s a gentle, low-pressure way to open the door to connection.

So next time you pass by — take a moment, take a seat, and say hello. You never know who you might meet!

The Buddy Bench is an initiative of DCU's Age-Friendly University (DCU AFU)  in partnership with Student Support and Development.