virtuallyseth.ai Your personal mental health & addiction AI expert

24/12/2025

Christmas can be a challenging time for lots of people for many different reasons.

I sometimes feel sad at Christmas for reasons I don’t fully understand. Social media and TV constantly reminds me that I should be jolly whether I feel it or not.

It’s easy to forget that for many, not having the money to buy presents or heat your home can sour the occasion.

Not all families are happy and some feel lonely even if around other people.

More recently I recognise a powerful antidote to winter blues is connection with kind people, especially strangers.

It seems to me that all the gifts we exchange at Christmas, the ones that tend to matter most can’t be wrapped, posted, or unboxed.

This Christmas, I’m considering a different kind of present:

a friendly chat with a kind stranger.

buddi bench exists for that exact reason. It’s a simple, human idea — beautifully designed public benches that gently invite adults to sit down, say hello, and share a short conversation. No pressure. No agenda. No Apps. Just a moment of connection.

In a world that can feel increasingly busy, noisy, and disconnected, a few minutes of genuine conversation can be surprisingly powerful. Sometimes it’s all it takes to lift a day, soften a sense of loneliness, or remind someone they’re not invisible.

I’m delighted that there are now three buddi benches in the UK:

• Tunbridge Wells�• London�• Edinburgh

Each one quietly offering the same invitation: take a seat, have a chat, feel a bit more human.

So this Christmas, alongside the cards, gifts, and celebrations, maybe give — or receive — something even more meaningful.

A smile.�A hello.�A friendly chat with a stranger.

That might just be the ultimate Christmas present.

buddibench.org

Creative responses to human distress

chat | connect | care

🎄💬🪑�

16/12/2025

Tired of the division, noise & polarisation of opinions & people on social media?

Me too!

Want to be part of the solution and help bring people together but not sure how?

Support Seth & buddi bench now & join our offline and online community of radical compassion.

Sign-up in seconds via our homepage:

https://buddibench.org

And I also have exciting news…

buddi bench arrives in Edinburgh, UK just in time for Christmas!

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve secured another spot for a buddi bench in the heart of Edinburgh, UK.

I’m spending this weekend before xmas standing by our new bench and chatting while handing out flyers about this new resource.

Already there is keen local interest in this initiative and we’re being talked about in the media:

https://edinburghmagazine.com/take-a-seat-say-hello-social-connection-gets-a-boost-with-edinburghs-buddi-bench/

Short of time? Highlights from the article published in Edinburgh magazine:

“AT A TIME WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE FEEL DISCONNECTED, A SMALL FRIENDLY CHAT CAN MAKE A SURPRISINGLY BIG DIFFERENCE,” SAYS FOUNDER & CEO SETH HUNTER.

“EDINBURGH IS A WARM AND SPIRITED CITY, AND THE WELLINGTON STATUE LOCATION GIVES PEOPLE A NATURAL PAUSE POINT TO REST, MEET SOMEONE NEW, AND FEEL A BIT LESS ALONE.”

A Simple Idea at a Time When It Matters Most

Across the UK, loneliness is on the rise — and Edinburgh is no exception. The buddi bench offers an uplifting, creative, and accessible response. No apps, no sign-ups, no requirements: just a beautifully designed bench and an open invitation to talk."

This beautiful bench costs just £3,000 all-in which has the potential to help thousands of people for many years to come - so great "bang-for-buck"! Be part of the solution and support us now with a donation via our website homepage or simply click this go fund me link below:

https://gofund.me/650b27085

Consider this a gift to those at Christmas that might be lonely and would love to chat | connect | care with kind strangers.

buddibench.org

Creative responses to human distress

Chat | connect | care

01/12/2025

📣 Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity! We’re Recruiting Non-Executive Directors!

buddi Creatives Community Interest Company (CIC)

buddi Creatives CIC is growing — fast. Our mission is simple and ambitious:

To reduce loneliness, strengthen human connection, and bring compassion back into public life.

We offer: Creative Responses to Human Distress.

We’re particularly focused on supporting those with mental health challenges or are seeking recovery from addiction issues.

Through our buddi benches (now in Tunbridge Wells, London and soon Edinburgh), community initiatives, creative wellbeing projects, events, digital resources, and our innovative AI companion virtuallyseth.ai, we’re building friendly, accessible spaces where people talk, connect and feel less alone.

We are now seeking Non-Executive Directors to join our Board and help shape the next chapter of this rapidly expanding social-impact organisation.

✨ The Role

As a Non-Executive Director, you will provide thoughtful guidance, strategic oversight, and supportive challenge to help ensure strong governance, ethical practice, and mission-focused growth.

You’ll work closely with our Founder & CEO, Seth Hunter, contributing to:

• Strategic direction and long-term planning
• Development of new benches, programmes, and partnerships
• Oversight of governance, compliance, and CIC responsibilities
• Financial stewardship and sustainability
• Community engagement and public benefit

Ensuring that everything we do advances our mission: Creative responses to human distress

Time commitment: 2 - 4 hours per month, including a monthly Zoom meeting and light engagement via our Directors’ WhatsApp group chat and responding to occasional calls and emails.

The role is voluntary.

🌱 What We’re Looking For

We welcome expressions of interest from people who are:

• Compassionate, reliable, and values-driven
• Thoughtful communicators who enjoy collaboration
• Committed to reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing
• Able to provide strategic insight and supportive challenge
• Guided by integrity, respect, and good governance
Helpful (not essential) experience may include:

Governance, finance, fundraising, mental health, addiction recovery, social care, digital content, community engagement, events, partnerships or charity/CIC leadership.

Above all: a warm heart and clear head.

💛 Why Join Us?

This is a chance to help shape a unique social impact organisation with national and international potential - to join us at ground level. You will play a meaningful role in:

• Reducing loneliness across the UK & beyond
• Expanding a network of conversation-friendly benches
• Supporting creative community-based wellbeing work
• Developing innovative resources and events
• Helping people feel seen, heard, and connected

Small acts of kindness can change lives — and your leadership can help bring this mission to thousands more.

📨 How to Apply

To express interest or request an informal chat, please message Seth Hunter directly via email:

seth@buddibench.org

I’d love to chat with you.

https://buddibench.org

Creative Responses to Human Distress

01/10/2025

“Be more dog!” 🐶 This is my motto for this Camino adventure - walking from Lisbon, via Porto, to Santiago de Compostella Diogenes, my favourite Greek philosopher, advocated for us to be more dog.This is what his idea means to me:Live in the moment - be here now. Avoid ruminating about yesterday or worrying about tomorrow.Embrace joy.Delight in the simple things.Play.Seek adventure.Be relentlessly enthusiastic.Be loving & loyal.Be sincere.Celebrate nature.Be unashamed - care not what others’ think.Lick peoples’ faces by way of greeting.OK - maybe not the last one.Right, I’m off for walkies.Woof, woof! 🐶

13/09/2025

Seth & buddi bench take fun seriously.

A key ingredient to dealing with human distress is a willingness to play and be silly.

Hence I created another "Fun & Freaky" short for your pleasure!

Want to see the other things I create - both serious & silly?

https://youtube.com/-bench

https://buddibench.org

Meet Seth Hunter, the passion behind buddi bench™ (CEO & Founder) - we bring people together. Whether you're facing distress or simply want a friendly chat - everyone is welcome here.With beautifully crafted benches across the UK and beyond, we invite any adult to sit down and share a moment of ki...

10/09/2025

Due to popular demand here’s another cute puppy video!

Watch this short vid I took of my dog called “May” facing a fear.

May’s approach is not unlike how it feels before I chat with a stranger on a buddi bench!

What have cute puppies got to do with me (Seth!) & buddi bench?

Puppies were THE inspiration behind the setting up of buddi bench!

Yes really.

Walking my puppy called “May” (short for “Mayhem”!) I found that kind strangers would stop & chat. They would make a fuss of May & talk about the weather with me!

I was amazed to realise that just a few short daily chats with friendly strangers radically improved my mood. More effective than any anti-depressant I’d tried.

The chats were brief and not particularly profound - yet left me feeling great.

I felt like I’d stumbled across a powerful antidote to low mood & isolation and wanted to share this simple solution towards much of human distress.

buddi bench brings you the wonders of short chats while caring for a puppy without the commitment of dog ownership & avoiding the demands of daily walks!

buddi bench facilitates friendly chats amongst adult strangers (using a unique bench rather than a puppy as a conversation starter) as a simple yet powerful way to build individual and collective resilience.

We replace a sense of isolation with one of connection. This is a crucial part of the antidote to human distress.

To see what else I & buddi bench offer you do check out my new funky website!

buddibench.org

"Creative responses to human distress”

Support me & buddi bench via subscribing to my socials:

msha.ke/buddibench

(Socials via a mobile device - otherwise subscribe via my website)

Thanks buddies.

Seth x

10/09/2025

What have cute puppies got to do with me (Seth!) & buddi bench?

Puppies were THE inspiration behind the setting up of buddi bench!

Yes really.

Walking my puppy called “May” (short for “Mayhem”!) I found that kind strangers would stop & chat. They would make a fuss of May & talk about the weather with me!

I was amazed to realise that just a few short daily chats with friendly strangers radically improved my mood. More effective than any anti-depressant I’d tried.

The chats were brief and not particularly profound - yet left me feeling great.

I felt like I’d stumbled across a powerful antidote to low mood & isolation and wanted to share this simple solution towards much of human distress.

buddi bench brings you the wonders of short chats while caring for a puppy without the commitment of dog ownership & avoiding the demands of daily walks!

buddi bench facilitates friendly chats amongst adult strangers (using a unique bench rather than a puppy as a conversation starter) as a simple yet powerful way to build individual and collective resilience.

We replace a sense of isolation with one of connection. This is a crucial part of the antidote to human distress.

To see what else I & buddi bench offer you do check out my new funky website!

buddibench.org

"Creative responses to human distress”

Support me & buddi bench via subscribing to my socials:

msha.ke/buddibench

(Socials via a mobile device - otherwise subscribe via my website)

Thanks buddies.

Seth x

09/09/2025

Do you take fun seriously?!

I do.

Why?

I believe the key antidote to human distress includes creativity and connection.

Our benches in parks bring people together IRL, while our online offerings stimulate the mind & encourages us to not just work but to play too.

So I hope you enjoy this video as I morph into “eating a bomb”, a jester, a museum portrait and walking through a wasteland!

https://youtube.com/shorts/1BfcZrra_cY?feature=share

Lots more free stuff like this plus serious stuff on my YouTube channel, regularly updated so subscribe now not to miss a thing.

Thanks buddies!

Seth x

Socials:

YouTube: -bench

Insta:

TikTok:

buddibench.org

msha.ke/buddibench

buddi bench creative responses to human distress ✨💡

09/09/2025

I have something special for you this week.

buddi bench & I offer you much more than benches in parks to encourage connection & compassion between adult strangers.

We offer: "Creative responses to human distress" including:

Live Events; Newsletter/Blog; YouTube Channel/Podcasts/Animation; AI chat; 1-on-1 support for mental health and addiction recovery; Art, Fashion and Merch.

I'm particularly fond of animations so decided to write and direct my very own debut animation! The script is below and the animation can be watched by clicking the link at the bottom of this post which takes you to my YouTube Channel.

Hope you enjoy this WWOW! (Weekly Words Of Wisdom!) #02 of #52.

Here's the script I wrote:

From Adversity to Inspiration - Animation Script - by Seth Hunter for buddi bench

Do you ever struggle to live well? I do too. Life’s adversities are inescapable - as Shakespeare’s Hamlet put it, we all face “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” Similarly, the Buddhists teach that “life is suffering” unless met with skilful guidance.

Paradoxically, accepting these truths can make us more content. We don’t have to like what we can’t control - only focus on what we can. It’s tempting to compare ourselves to others (compare and despair), but even the most outwardly successful people carry pain and shame. It's a cognitive distortion to compare others’ outsides with our insides. Many of us hide our vulnerabilities, denying what Carl Jung called the “shadow side” - the subconscious parts of ourselves we reject and often project onto others.

Unhappy childhoods are a common lament. As Philip Larkin wrote:

"They fu%k you up, your mum and dad.�
They may not mean to, but they do...�...
But they were fu%ked up in their turn..."

Parents, often struggling with their own wounds, pass on unresolved trauma. Pain that is not transcended is often transmitted. Hurt people hurt people.

For years, I resented my challenges - a suicidal father, trauma, addiction, and bipolar disorder. I sometimes pitied myself until a friend suggested that I, “turn sh*te into manure.” At first, I bristled, but she explained: pain is inevitable; misery is optional. I may not be responsible for my distress, but I am responsible for my healing and recovery. We can transform adversity into inspiration and beauty.

Therapy embraces this idea. It tells us: go to your wounds; therein lies your genius. Psychological pain signals the need for attention, just like physical pain. We instinctively recoil from a hot flame to avoid burning ourselves - our emotional distress serves a similar purpose. The pain is not the problem, it points to the solution. It invites us to uncover, discover, and discard what no longer serves us. By confronting our struggles, we grow into our true selves, gaining depth and grace.

Life is like driving a car. Focus on the road ahead (stay in the now), check the rear-view mirror (look back but don’t stare), and mind our blind spots (acknowledge the limits of our perception). If we dwell too much on the past (ruminate on old injuries and resentments), obsess about the future ("future-tripping"), or fixate on the unknowable and uncontrollable (lose focus on our own sphere of influence), we risk crashing. Balance is key. As Kierkegaard reminds us:

"Life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards."

Let’s not suppress or resent our pain. Instead, let’s seek to understand it with compassion and let it guide us toward becoming our authentic selves. As Nietzsche said:

"One must still have chaos in oneself to give birth to a dancing star."

We are all made of stardust - let’s sparkle like the celestial beings we are!

Link to watch Seth’s Animation on his YouTube Channel: From Adversity to Inspiration

https://youtu.be/mAImJHz727U

Please share the above link on your socials - sharing is caring!

Subscribe easily to Seth’s YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/-bench?sub_confirmation=1

To see all that we offer at buddi bench be sure to check-out my newly redesigned website:

https://buddibench.org

Thanks buddies!

Seth x

08/09/2025

We take fun seriously!

Why?

We believe the key antidote to human distress includes creativity and connection.

Our benches in parks bring people together IRL, while our online offerings stimulate the mind & encourages us to not just work but to play too.

Socials:

YouTube: -bench

buddibench.org

msha.ke/buddibench

07/09/2025

Here at buddi bench we offer: "Creative responses to human distress".

We give you much more than friendship benches in your local parks.

We believe that a key antidote to human distress is creativity and connection.

Indeed, we take fun seriously!

So enjoy this short series of Seth morphing into freaky characters. Seth had a lot of fun creating these and hopes that they serve to remind us to make time to be silly and playful as part of our self-care.

* Please note that some of these vids are a little unnerving so do consider carefully if you are ok with being a little shocked.

If you'd like to help Seth offer you more free creations to inspire personal and collective resilience then please subscribe to this Channel in one-click:

https://www.youtube.com/-bench?sub_confirmation=1

https://buddibench.org

04/09/2025

Do you know the difference between want and need?

It’s harder than you think.

'I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.’
- Jim Carey

“Shame your mind, don't shine like your possessions do.”
Faithless lyric from the song “I Want More”

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
- Epictetus

Ever found yourself earning money by doing a job you hate, to buy things you don’t need, to impress people you don’t like? Seduced by mere hedonic immediate gratification masquerading as need?

Me too.

What to do about the gravitation pull of materialism?

To read the full article for free join Seth’s mailing list via our website: https://buddibench.org

buddi bench™

Creative responses to human distress

https://buddibench.org

Socials (from a mobile device): msha.ke/buddibench