Ashton Gate Stadium has opened a Nature and Wellbeing Garden to support those living with loneliness, social isolation, poor mental health or in crisis
The garden by the Ashton Road entrance provides a safe space for sports fans coming to Bristol City and Bristol Bears games, staff and the whole community to talk, reflect and connect to nature
The garden includes mental wellbeing rere world firsts:
- A suicide prevention bench will be the first installed at an EFL League football/rugby ground by charity Legend On The Bench. Donated by the Bristol City Supporters Club and Trust, the bench includes support phone numbers, a QR code for further resources and solar-powered light to act as a beacon of hope;
- One ‘Bristol Whitebeam’ tree and one ‘Observatory Whitebeam’ tree which grow wild in the Avon Gorge and nowhere else in the world – the only of these very rare species at any stadium in the world;
- 100% natural artificial grass made from coconut husks – Ashton Gate will be the first football and rugby stadium in the world to use CocoTurf;
- Planters and the bench made out of recycled cups collected at Ashton Gate have been relocated from the Winterstoke Road car park;
- Flowers to attract pollinators like bees, hoverflies and butterflies;
- A waterbutt to collect rainwater for use in the garden;
- The Bug Hotel, previously located in Colliter’s Brook has been relocated into the garden.
Ashton Gate Deputy Head Groundsperson Jack Langley said: “We wanted to improve this area to make the space more accessible and provide better amenity to fans. We are grateful for the Supporters Club & Trust for their support, as they have done with the Multi-Faith room and Sensory rooms. When they suggested installing the suicide prevention bench at the stadium we realised there was a great opportunity to make this garden something special.”
Almost half of UK adults report being lonely occasionally, sometimes, always or often. Approximately 7,000 people end their own lives every year in the UK
“The Supporters Club & Trust is hugely supportive of initiatives like this which recognise the importance of our health & wellbeing. It is great to be involved,” said chair Stu Rogers, pictured in the main image with Trina Watts who led the project
Project Director and Group Head of Sustainability, Peter Smith said “Talking to people and connecting with nature has been proven to reduce anxiety, depression and social isolation. We are delighted to include two very rare and uniquely Bristolian Whitebeam trees, which have used as the emblem of our sustainability initiative since we launched in 2022. It’s wonderful to have two live examples here at the stadium.”
You can find out more about Legend on the Bench here and also access restol Bears Foundation here. If you are in crisis, you can call The Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123
READ MORE ABOUT PROJECT WHITEBEAM
