Happy to Chat benches

These eye-catching benches serve UCL Astrea, and the whole UCL community, to combat loneliness by providing opportunities to connect with people. They are dedicated to five inspirational women with a personal connection to UCL, who have shaped our world and left a lasting legacy.

Launch of the Happy to Chat bench in the UCL Main Quad

UCL Astrea's Happy to Chat bench launch

The launch of our inaugural bench in the UCL Main Quad took place on Monday 11 September with Aimie Chapple, Vice-President (Operations).

Members of the Astrea community came together to celebrate the occasion and take part in a standing yoga session.

Keep your eyes peeled for details of the bench launches in the other three locations: Bidborough House, UCL East and IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society.

Visit one of the benches and post your photos on social media using #UCLHappytoChatBenches

View the launch photos

UCL Astrea's Happy to Chat bench in the Main Quad

About the benches

What are 'Happy to Chat' benches and where have they been installed at UCL?

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

A leader of women’s rights in medicine and society.

Bernice Lake

First woman from the Eastern Caribbean to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1985.

Kathleen Lonsdale

One of the first two women to become a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Constance Markievicz

First woman elected to the British House of Commons.

Sarah Parker Remond

A free-born African-American radical, suffragist, anti-slavery activist and later, a physician.

If you've enjoyed reading about and discussing these inspiring women, here are some more campaigns to browse and chat about!

UCL's Female Firsts' art project - 12 exceptional women honoured in individual portraits.
Dangers and Delusions - A 2018 UCL Special Collections exhibition, providing perspectives on the women's suffrage movement.
Disruptives and Innovators: Journeys in gender equality at UCL - An exhibition held betweek September 2018 to February 2019 in UCL's Octagon Gallery.
City of Women - a project encouraging Londoners to take a second glance at places we might once have taken for granted.