A ZOO is trying to tackle loneliness with the introduction of a new feature for children.
Drusillas, in Alfriston, is helping youngsters to make friends in its play area with a new “buddy bench”.
This week is Loneliness Awareness Week and Drusillas hopes the multi-coloured seat, pictured above, will be a boost for anyone looking for a playmate.
It is in the Go Wild area, in the centre of the main children’s playground.
Drusillas thinks it will make it much easier for children to make friends.
If a youngster is on their own, they can sit on the bench and others can then invite them over to take part in their games.
Cassie Poland, of Drusillas, said: “It’s hard for a child who is on their own to have the confidence to approach others and ask if they can join in. We’ve put up a little sign to ask children to keep each other company if they see another child sitting alone on the bench.”
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