People power helps create new bench
A SPECIAL bench designed by local people to raise awareness of and be accessible to the survivors of strokes and created by engineering students from Nottingham College has been installed alongside the Nottingham& Beeston Canal.
Commissioned by the Canal & River Trust to give local people the opportunity to stop and enjoy some relaxing time by thecanal, it hasbeencreated through a collaboration with the Stroke Association, which saw local stroke survivors working together on the design, and NottinghamBID(Business Improvement District) which has provided sponsorship.
Scott Miller, from the Canal & River Trust, said: “The new bench looks fantastic and it’s great to see it in position by the canal, ready to be used by people enjoying some relaxing time by the water. The canal is for everyone and we’re so pleased to have worked with the local community, theStroke Association and students from Nottingham College to install this bench which we hope will bring enjoyment tomany.”
Thedesignincludes threeseats and space for twowheelchairs, as well as information on the FAST* test which shows how toquickly spot the signs of a stroke. The bench has been installednext to the Nottingham& BeestonCanal at CastleWharf, enablingpeople to sit by the water and take in the sights and sounds of the canal.
The seat was commissioned through the work of the Nottingham Canal Improvement Partnership with a series of community consultation events being held to find out what improvements local people would like to see made to the canal. As part of the design process the stroke survivors worked on a number of prototypes before deciding on the final design.
Students from Nottingham College, along with staff from the engineering department, then made a start on bringing the design to life, producing3D printedconcepts before getting startedon fabricating the bench in their workshop.
Velma Hamilton, stroke engagement officer for the Midlands at the Stroke Association, said: “It’s been fantasticworkingwith the Canal & River Trust and Nottingham College to help stroke survivors lend their voices andart talents to this bench project. We want to thank everyone involved for their work and for promoting the FAST message.
*The FAST test can help to recognise the most common signs of a stroke:
Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to call 999: if you see any of these signs.