LYNNFIELD — A new “Buddy Bench” has been installed in Lynnfield with the goal of offering a way to encourage connection and combat loneliness in the community.

The project was led by the Ipswich-Rowley Rotary, and the Lynnfield Rotary Club partnered with them as a cooperating organization to help place Buddy Benches in several locations on the North Shore, according to the club’s Co-President Christine Travers. The initiative reflects a growing focus on mental health and the importance of creating spaces where people feel seen and supported.

“Mental health has become a crisis in our communities. Children can feel lonely and isolated,” Travers said. “The bench will provide a safe place for anyone to talk with someone else.”

Placed outside Town Hall, the bench is designed as a quiet signal. If someone is sitting on it, it means they may be looking for a conversation or simply some company. While Buddy Benches have traditionally been installed in school settings, the Town Hall bench can be for anyone.

“Initially, this was directed toward children,” Travers said. “However, we realize that it should be available for all.”

She explained that the hope is that the bench becomes more than just a physical object.

“We hope the Buddy Bench becomes a simple but powerful symbol of connection across out community,” Travers said. “At its core, it’s there for anyone — especially a child — who may be feeling left out, unsure, or in need of a friend.”

By encouraging small acts of kindness, whether it’s inviting someone to join in or simply starting a conversation, the bench aims to foster a broader culture of inclusion.

“If the bench helps even a few people feel seen, supported, and less alone, then it’s doing exactly what it was meant to do,” Travers said.

The Buddy Bench is just one of several community focused initiatives supported by the Rotary Club of Lynnfield. The organization continues to partner with local and regional groups on service projects, including building beds for children in need, sponsoring community events, and providing scholarships to local students.

Ultimately, Travers said the bench represents something larger: building stronger, more compassionate communities across the North Shore, one interaction at a time.