CHILDREN feeling unsafe or suffering from personal issues at three Mornington Peninsula primary schools can sit in a Buddy Bench in the playground and someone will come to check on their welfare.
Members of the New Peninsula Men’s Shed, Mt Martha, installed a Buddy Bench at Rosebud Primary last week – their seventh so far – with others having been installed at Eastbourne and Balnarring primary schools.
Shed president Andrew Doncovio said sitting in the seat triggered a “hierarchy of help” for the students, meaning they could feel confident they were not alone and that others were looking out for them.
The shed members provided the labour for the seats and Mornington Peninsula Shire the materials.
The men’s shed is at 370 Craigie Road, Mt Martha, call 0400 090 123.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 December 2019
