I move around Wakefield with the Take A Seat sign, choosing places where people naturally slow down. I don’t stay in one fixed spot. I sit wherever the day feels right. Sometimes that’s a quiet corner in a park. Sometimes it’s a bench near a garden path. Sometimes it’s a place where people pass on their way to somewhere else and might appreciate a moment to pause. I like the idea that people come across Take A Seat naturally, without needing a schedule or an announcement. It keeps the whole thing gentle and human.
You might find me in Thornes Park, where the paths open out into wide green spaces and people wander with dogs, families, or just their thoughts. You might see me near the museum gardens, where the benches sit under trees and the world feels a little slower. I also spend time in smaller green spaces tucked around Wakefield, places that most people walk through without thinking, but that become meaningful when someone chooses to sit for a moment.
I choose spots that feel calm and open, places where someone can sit without feeling rushed or watched. I pay attention to how a space feels on the day. Some places feel right in the morning. Others feel right later on. I don’t force it. I let the environment guide me. Take A Seat isn’t about being in the busiest place or trying to attract attention. It’s about creating a moment where someone can pause if they want to.
I show up when I can, depending on the day, the weather, and how life is going. Some days I’m out for a short while. Some days I stay longer. Some days I sit in one place. Other days I move around. There’s no timetable and no expectation. But if someone wants to find me, I make it easy. I post my exact location on the Facebook page @takeaseatyorkshire using what3words so people know precisely where I am. It keeps things simple. It keeps things clear. It lets people join in without guessing.
People often tell me they like that it’s unpredictable. They like that it feels natural. They like that it’s not something they have to plan for. It’s just there when it’s there. A simple sign. A bench. A moment of connection if someone wants it. I think that’s part of the magic. It’s small. It’s quiet. It’s easy to join and easy to walk past. There’s no pressure either way.
Some days I sit in places where people are passing quickly, and the conversations are short and light. Other days I sit somewhere quieter, and someone might stay longer and share something deeper. Every location brings a different kind of moment. Every bench has its own rhythm. I’ve learned to trust that. I’ve learned that the right people arrive at the right time.
Take A Seat works because it moves. It works because it adapts. It works because it meets people where they already are. If you’re in Wakefield and you spot me, you’re always welcome to join me. And if you want to know exactly where I am on the day, you can check the Facebook page and find the what3words location waiting for you.
If you want to know more about why I do this, you can read the About page.
If you want to understand the idea behind it, you can read How It Works.
If you want to reach out, you can visit Get in Touch.