A number of memorial benches have been donated to councils across the UK from Netflix, to celebrate their series After Life. The season finale, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais, covers a range of topics, from love, to loss and mental health. Netflix and Gervais wanted to donate these benches to offer support to those who may be suffering in life.
Just two weeks after the bench was donated to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), the memorial plaque from the bench in Victoria Park, in central Ashford, was allegedly stolen.
Twenty-five benches were donated in total to councils across the England, to celebrate the third and final season of their series After Life. They hoped people would use these benches to sit, reflect and share.
Gervais teamed up with suicide prevention team charity Campaign Against Miserably Living (CALM), to help distribute the benches.
The plaque which the council are sure has been stolen read:
“This bench has been donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais’ ‘After Life’.”
Councillor Matthew Forrest, the Culture, Leisure and Tourism cabinet member for ABC, spoke of how the Council reacted to hearing the plaque had been removed.
The Council said they think it “looks as if the plaque has been ripped off completely, as the nails are still in-tact on the bench.”
It was rumoured that the Council had considered removing the bench completely from Victoria Park following this disaster.
Councillor Forrest said: “I think those rumours have come from the fact the park will be going through some renovation works this year. So, we are going to be doing some renovation work, there will be some moving around of items in the park. But given how popular the bench has been, I think it’s something that we’d like to stay see stay in the park”.
Despite the Netflix plaque being removed, the QR code which lead people to online resources and messages of support remained in-tact on the bench.
Ashford Borough Council was especially selected by Netflix, and the councillors discussed with the team that they wanted it to be placed in Victoria Park, as it’s central to Ashford and got many residents visiting. They felt it would be the best spot for raising awareness of the mental health resources available in Kent.
Kent County Council’s (KCC) Suicide Prevention team said mental health needs more awareness raised around it. Megan Abbott, their Project Officer, said it’s critical those struggling with mental health speak out about it, she said to “speak to anyone you can, friends, family… whoever”.
For anyone that’s struggling with their mental health, KCC’s mental health resources are always available. They have a 24/7 helpline with trained counsellors at the end of the phone. They also have a 24/7 tech service where residents can text KENT to 85258 for support and to text a trained counsellor.
The Council contacted Netflix, who have agreed to replace the plaque, as they wanted to spread their message and continue to help people across the county who might be struggling.
Kent County Council mental health resources: https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/mental-health/get-mental-health-help-now
https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure
Campaign Against Miserably Living charity resources: https://www.thecalmzone.net/