Buddy or Friendship Benches (长椅) are needed because playgrounds can be lonely places some times. When a school places the bench, they teach a little lesson to the kids on how it is to be used. Then when a child sits on the bench, it sends out a message to others that basic ally says, “Hey, I’m alone right now and would welcome the company (陪伴) of others.” Kids in the playground see this and from their training, they see there is a fellow student in need. They are encouraged to come over and sit on the bench and make a new friend.

Benches like this have been around for a while now in many schools. But in Ireland, they are trying to do something different with them. This school in Cork in the south of Ireland is the 247th to get benches from a social organization called “Buddy Bench Ireland” that doesn’t just provide schools with benches, but also runs special projects with trained child psychiatrists (精神病专家). They use the bench as an opportunity to start conversations about mental health. They talk about the importance of knowing and understanding your feelings and those of others.

Judith Ashton, a co-founder of Buddy Bench Ireland said, “The children need to understand what the bench is about, what it represents —friendship, understanding, listening to each other and the most important thing is that it’s important to express feelings.”

But do children really use the bench? It’s a matter of great public concern. Sinead Mcgilloway from Maynooth University carried out a study and said, “We found that 40% of the children told us that they had actually used the benches at the time of the study. And over 90% said that they would talk to a child if that child was sitting on the bench. So, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Children’s mental health and safety at school is increasingly a concern in many countries. In Ireland, they’re hoping these benches will no t only tackle problems like school violence and school bullying (校园暴力和校园欺凌), but also give students the confidence to open up about t heir feelings.

He may not have an,“S” across his chest but this dog is most certainly a hero.

Harley, who was rescued from a puppy mill(幼犬繁殖工厂) four years ago. was named the American Humane Association’s 2015 American Hero Dog Karley, who is missing an eye and suffers from other medical issues from his time at the mill, is now a “spokes dog” against puppy mills He serves as the lovely furry face of the “Harley to the Rescue” campaign, which raises funds for the National Dog Mill Rescue, according to a press print .

The pup was rescued back in 2011 and adopted by Rudi and her husband, Dan it was just four years ago that he was pulled from the cage in the puppy mill and left to die,“Harley’s owner, Rudi, said during the awards show at the Beverly Hilton Motel in Los Angeles this past weekend, according to Today com ,“We never would have ever thought he would live so long and make such a difference tor so many puppies.”

The dog was one of eight finalists up for the American Hero Dog and was chosen as the winner through public votes. The finalists all won $1,500 to be donated to one of American Humane Association’s charity partners, with Harley receiving another $5.000 to go toward his charity partner, New Leash on Life.

According to the print, Harley spent 10 years at the puppy mill, and suffered rough treatment there, which led to his many medical issues. He lost his eye as a result of his cage being power washed with him inside.

The dog isn’t just the face of his campaign, he also goes on rescue tasks and makes public appearances at events and schools to raise awareness for puppy mills.

It’s time to play your part!

Our Connect Recover Thrive campaign will help to care for the National Park for the future. If you love the Peak District and want to give something back, please sign up today to give a small amount each month. It’s not all about the money, we also need your time and expertise-could you commit today to giving a few hours a month to help us raise funds and support for the Peak District National Park?

Thank you for your support, there is so much more to do, and we need your help to do it.

Give a monthly donation

One of the easiest ways for you to help us to care for the Peak District Nation Park is to give a regular donation. Don’t forget that if you are a UK taxpayer you can add gift aid and the government will add 25% to your donation at no cost to you.

Take on a fundraising challenge

We’re looking for fundraising heroes to take on exciting challenges to raise money to care for the Peak District National Park. Could you do a sponsored walk, run, cycle, swim? Could you host an event in your community, could you break a world record?

Remember the Peak District after you’ve gone

Do you love the Peak District National Park and want to see it cared for after you’ve gone? Leaving a gift in your will is a really special way to help us to look after the Peak District National Park for future generations.

Support the Access Fund

The Access Fund is a restricted fund which helps our partners at the Peak District National Park Authority to add new access points, restore paths, enhance the accessibility of paths, replace gates, all to improve accessibility to access land. If you would like to help look after the National Park please consider a donation to the Access End here.