A bench from the hit series “After Life” is to be placed in Wythenshawe Park to help raise awareness about mental health.

The bench is part of a partnership between Netflix and mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) in honour of the third and final series of the show which was released last week.

Engraved with the words “Hope is everything”, the bench is a replica of the one that plays an important role in the story of the comedy-drama, starring Ricky Gervais.

Centring on grief and loss, After Life conveys a powerful message about the loss of a loved one, as well as focusing on the mental health struggles that come with this.

Netflix has donated 25 benches to local councils around the UK.

CALM said: “We know benches are a place where you can reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest.

“So we’ve worked with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country – inscribed with that crucial line from the show, “Hope is everything” – to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.”

The bench in Wythenshawe is one of 25 similar ones that have been placed all across the country including London, Liverpool and Newcastle.

With Blue Monday having just passed, the benches serve as a place for people to sit and to reflect just as Gervais’ character Tony does with his grieving friend Anne.

Ricky added: “I don’t think any harm can come from discussing taboo subjects – if we don’t, they stay taboo because people are scared to talk about them.

“After Life lets people talk about grief, and it was so good to start the conversation.”

The series, which also stars Bolton-born actress and comedian Diane Morgan, has been running since 2019.

CALM has a helpline which can be called if you are struggling with your mental health, which can be found on 0800 58 58 58