The Friendship Bench encourages dialogue between generations

A new initiative at ASU, called the Friendship Bench, encourages younger and older individuals to just sit and talk to each other — about anything.

Loneliness is becoming an epidemic, with many individuals feeling isolated and anxious. To combat this, the Friendship Bench aims to bring people together and help with loneliness.

The Friendship Bench is led by Aaron Guest, Assistant Professor at ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. According to Guest, this initiative is just one way ASU has been building connections across generations. Guest said intergenerational connection helps everyone by reducing ageism and closing the distance between the older generation and the younger generation to bring them together to help with loneliness.

Every Tuesday, ASU alumna Pencie Culiver sits on a bench with a sign reading, “I’m all ears.” Culiver added, “I find it energizing, and I feel like I’m helping them.”

Whether it’s a quick two-minute chat or a deep half-hour conversation, Culiver sits with students to share what’s on their minds. It’s meant to encourage younger and older individuals to sit and talk to each other. Culiver listens to students and offers them a safe place to talk and ease their hearts.

“I think there are kids who are lonely and don’t have anybody to talk to. They feel like they’re talking to their grandma,” said Culiver.

The Friendship Bench is one of ASU’s many ways to combat loneliness among students and offer a healthy environment. ASU Chief Wellness Officer Judith Karshmer said one of her biggest focus areas is connection and belonging.

“The Friendship Bench is a really important thing that says to the community that being able to have a connection with somebody and feeling that you belong on campus is part of your well-being.”