After Life: Netflix join with suicide prevention charity CALM to donate 25 benches to parks around the UK

Netflix has joined with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to install 25 benches across the UK to mark the launch of the final series of After Life.

The benches are replicas of the one seen in the hugely popular Netflix show After Life, which was written by and stars Ricky Gervais.

In the show, Gervais’ character, Tony, can often be seen using the bench, in his local graveyard, to open up to fellow characters after the loss of his wife, Lisa.

Benches are an ‘opportunity to reflect’

The benches will be inscribed with a quote from After Life series three, which released on the streaming platform on 14 January.

It reads: “Hope is everything”

A plaque is also on the benches reading: “This bench is donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais’ ‘After Life’.”

There will also be a QR code engraved with the wording: “Life can be tough, but there’s always hope. Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is by your side”.

Scanning the QR code will take you to the CALM website and give access to resources for those who need them.

Simon Gunning, CEO of 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.”

Ricky 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.”

The star has also encouraged those who spot the benches to take a selfie with them.

Where are the benches located in the UK?

There are 25 location across the UK where the benches can be found, after being installed on 14 January to coincide with the premiere of After Life series three.

This includes:

• Ashford, Victoria Park
• Bath, Sydney Gardens
• Birmingham, Cofton Park
• Bristol, Ashton Court
• Cardiff, Parc Cefn Onn
• Cardiff, Victoria Park
• Edinburgh, Calton Hill
• Falmouth, Gyllyngdune Gardens
• Glasgow, Glasgow Green
• Liverpool, Stanley Park
• Liverpool, Woolton Walled Gardens
• London, Highgate Wood
• London, Parliament Hill
• London, Queens Park
• London, Ravenscourt Park
• London, Rookery Gardens and Woodland
• London, York House Gardens
• Manchester, Wythenshawe Park
• Minehead, Blenheim Gardens
• Newcastle, Exhibition Park
• Nottingham, Arboretum
• Nottingham, Highfields Park
• Surrey Heath, Lightwater Country Park
• Taunton, Vivary Park

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