A solar-lit Legend on the Bench seat by Mote Park's North Entrance carries QR codes to mental health support. East Kent Spurs fans funded 14 of the county's 21.

A bench that lights itself up after dark has been installed in Mote Park to point people towards mental health support. It sits near the park’s North Entrance off Ashford Road, close to the Water Sports Centre and the waterfall.

Solar panels power the light, so the bench glows at night. QR codes on it link straight to mental health support services. Maidstone Borough Council announced the bench on 13 October, after the Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Brian Clark, opened it (Maidstone Borough Council).

This story discusses suicide prevention. If you need to talk to someone now, the numbers are at the end.

Who made it happen

Three groups worked together on the Mote Park bench:

  • Legend on the Bench, the suicide prevention charity that makes and installs the benches
  • the East Kent Spurs Official Supporters Club, which raised the money
  • Maidstone Borough Council, which owns the park

The charity was founded by Michelle Hazard in memory of her son, Jay Lee Mead. Her brother, the former Tottenham Hotspur player Micky Hazard, is an ambassador.

The supporters club began as a football fans’ group. The council describes it as one of Kent’s most active grassroots community organisations, with its work now focused on mental health, suicide prevention and wellbeing.

One of 21 in Kent

The council says the Mote Park bench is one of 21 suicide prevention benches in Kent and 164 across the UK and Ireland. The East Kent Spurs club has paid for 14 of the Kent benches, the largest rollout in the county.

Maria Howdon, the club’s secretary, said: “We wanted to create something visible, permanent and meaningful within our communities. The benches send a simple message: support is available and nobody should feel they have to face difficult times alone.”

Councillor Clark said the bench “provides a simple way for people to access information, start conversations and know help is available if they need it.”

Five people stand behind a wooden bench in Mote Park at its unveiling: from left, Ray Berry and Maria Howdon of the East Kent Spurs Supporters Club, Councillor Rob Field, Emily Cowan-Knott of Kent County Council, and the Mayor of Maidstone, Councillor Brian Clark, wearing his chain of office
At the unveiling, left to right: Ray Berry, co-chair, and Maria Howdon, secretary, East Kent Spurs Supporters Club; Councillor Rob Field; Emily Cowan-Knott, Kent County Council; the Mayor, Councillor Brian Clark. Photo: supplied by Maidstone Borough Council.

Why a park

The council points to research linking time in green space with lower risk of anxiety, depression and chronic stress. A bench in a well-used park puts the help where people already walk.

What it means for you

  • Where to find it: near the North Entrance off Ashford Road (A20), by the Water Sports Centre and the waterfall. Our guide to parking in Maidstone covers the Mote Park car parks.
  • What it does: scan a QR code on the bench with a phone camera to reach mental health support. The light means it can be found after dark.
  • If you need help now: call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, as the council advises. Samaritans answers day or night, free, on 116 123 (Samaritans). In an emergency, call 999.

Sources