Exeter's 'talking bench' founder wins praise from fellow football fans
Exeter City club volunteer Sharon Dumbleton has created a space which is open to anyone to use
The founder of Exeter's 'Talking Bench' says she's been praised by fellow Exeter City fans - with many reaching out privately saying they believe it will help them.
Sharon Dumbleton, a club volunteer, wanted to offer a form of support service after her own mental health battles - which is open to anyone to use, football fan or not.
The bench, which is designed to offer a safe space and includes QR codes with links to support organisations, is made from recycled bottles and has been positioned in front of the Club's The Park building, close to the entrance from St James Road.
Ms Dumbleton said: "Sometimes people who are struggling find it difficult to make that first step, so this is designed to help them. I struggled with my own mental health and you know making that first step is very important.
"It's a bench that anyone can come and use, it doesn't have to be on a match day and it's in a great location. Exeter City is a community club so this way it means so much more to me."
Sharon added: "I struggled for years with my mental health. It's not something I'm embarrassed about, but it came to a head and I had to address my trauma which was something that was really difficult for me because I buried it for so long. But as we know things don't stay buried forever.
"I want to make a difference - and I'm passionate about two things - mental health and football - and what better way to honour that and represent that by bringing it here at my football club.
"I would just say to people, start talking. You never know who you might talk to. I know because I've been there, so it's very important that we get that message across that it's not about judgement, it's about understanding and empathy."
The bench was donated to the Club by Exeter City Council, with the club making a donation to the Samaritans - Sharon's chosen charity - in return.
Matt Hulland from Exeter City Council said: “Mental health is a key issue as we navigate through a very turbulent world and any initiatives fans, club and community can do to promote support and conversations about this issue we are fully behind as a council and applaud these efforts.”
John Street, the Club's Interim General Manager, said: "As a community club it's so important that we are there not just for our supporters, but the wider population."