If you have already binged watched series 3 of Ricky Gervais's After Life then you'll know the importance of 'the bench'.
Well two of those 'hope' benches are set to appear in Nottingham parks.
Netflix has donated 25 benches to local councils across the county and the city has been given two.
Marking the launch After Life season 3, the benches have been commissioned alongside suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - each is inscribed with the quote from the series “Hope is Everything”.
The two Nottingham benches will be placed in popular Nottingham parks - one in the Arboretum and another in Highfields Park.
A plaque with “This bench is donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais' 'After Life' also features.
Mirroring scenes in the show where Ricky Gervais's character Tony sits on a bench at his local churchyard as he continues to grieve for his wife Lisa, played by Kerry Godliman, Gervais said: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with CALM and the great work they do.”
After Life is set in the small fictitious town of Tambury. The show follows Tony, a writer for the local newspaper whose life is upended after his wife dies from cancer.
In the show, Tony uses the bench as a place to reflect, share, listen and, ultimately, to grow.
CALM offer help, advice and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis.
The comedian shared a picture of the map of where the benches are, and urged people to "visit and take a selfie".
Those who visit a bench will be able to access resources from CALM via a unique QR code with the wording “Life can be tough, but there’s always hope. Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is by your side”, and online by visiting https://www.thecalmzone.net/afterlife/
Simon Gunning, CEO, CALM said: “Park benches provide opportunities to reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest. That is why we’re delighted to team up with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country - inscribed with that crucial line from the show, “Hope is everything” - to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.”
After Life season 3 launched on Netflix on Friday, January 14, 2022
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