Because sometimes hope begins with a place to sit.
Visible symbols of hope. Discreet pathways to help. Stronger communities.
Turning Places to Sit into Pathways to Support
The Hope Seat Project transforms ordinary public seating into something quietly extraordinary. Each purple chair, bench and picnic table placed in a Nova Scotia community becomes a visible symbol of awareness, courage and care — a gentle reminder that no one is alone, and that help is closer than it may seem.
By combining thoughtfully designed outdoor seating with discreet, scannable QR codes, the project brings intimate partner violence, coercive control and human trafficking support out of the shadows — and into the everyday spaces where people already gather, rest and connect.
Awareness Made Visible
Purple seating signals that a community takes these issues seriously — creating a visible, welcoming presence in parks, waterfronts and public spaces.
Help Made Easier to Find
A single QR code scan connects people to crisis lines, shelters, safety planning and trusted local resources — privately, discreetly and at any hour.
Communities Invited to Act
Businesses, municipalities and organisations gain a meaningful, lasting way to demonstrate their commitment to safety, dignity and community wellbeing.
A Simple Journey from Seat to Support
Every Hope Seat is designed to work quietly, without barriers. Whether someone is sitting alone in a park or pausing on a waterfront trail, the path from awareness to help is just one scan away.
Every chair, bench and picnic table carries a unique dynamic QR code linking directly to vetted, up-to-date resources — including emergency and crisis support, intimate partner violence services, human trafficking support, local shelters and outreach, safety-planning information, and community and legal resources. No login. No personal information required. No pop-ups.
Three Ways to Create a Point of Hope
The Hope Seat Project offers three distinct seating options, each designed to complement a variety of public and community spaces throughout Nova Scotia. Every option includes a permanent, brushed-gold sponsor plaque and a unique, scannable QR code.
Purple Adirondack Chairs
A welcoming pair of classic chairs designed for parks, waterfronts and peaceful community spaces. Ideal for quiet reflection — and a meaningful conversation.
Purple Community Bench
A highly visible, accessible awareness point suited for parks, trails, town centres and public facilities. A familiar seat made extraordinary by purpose.
Purple Picnic Table
A gathering place for conversation, connection and community awareness. Perfect for parks, campuses, health facilities and any space where people come together.
Create a Permanent Point of Hope
Signature Hope Seat Sponsorship
$5,000
Each sponsorship funds one of the following, fully installed:
- Two purple Adirondack chairs
- One purple community bench
- One purple picnic table
OR become a community sponsor towards a seat. Your donation will go towards one seat.
Your Sponsorship Includes
- Brushed-gold sponsor plaque with your name
- Unique QR code linked to your installation
- Website and Hope Seat map recognition
- Installation announcement and photographs
- Social media and media recognition
- Inclusion in the annual impact report
- Collaborative, community-appropriate placement
Become a Hope Seat Location
Municipalities, businesses, parks, community organizations and property owners can provide a visible, accessible home for a Hope Seat, becoming a recognized part of a growing provincial network of care and community awareness.
Ideal Locations Include
- Municipal parks and waterfront areas
- Walking and nature trails
- Community centres and libraries
- Health and wellness facilities
- Businesses with public outdoor space
- Tourism destinations
- University and college campuses
- Hospitals and public-service locations
Location Requirements
- Safe, accessible and publicly visible
- Appropriate year-round access
- Level, suitable installation surface
- Permission from the property owner
- Commitment to basic monitoring and maintenance
- Plaque and QR code kept unobstructed
- Agreement to report damage or required repairs (in some cases the seat may need to be removed and relocated when possible)
Find a Hope Seat Near You - Coming once 10 seats are installed.
The interactive Hope Seat map will allow anyone in Nova Scotia , or anyone supporting someone to locate the nearest Hope Seat, learn about its sponsor and access resources directly from the map listing. Every installation is listed with full accessibility information and a direct QR resource link. They are also there to create awareness. Intimate Partner Violence is now at epidemic levels. Human Trafficking is 6X the national average in Nova Scotia.
Each Map Listing Includes
- Hope Seat identification number
- Community and specific location
- Seat type and sponsor or dedication
- Installation date
- Accessibility information
- Photographs and directions
- Direct QR resource link
Filter By
- Adirondack chairs
- Community benches
- Picnic tables
- Accessible locations
- Community or region
You Are Not Alone. Help Is Here.
Nova Scotia Crisis Support
Call or text 1-855-225-0220
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Nova Scotia 211
Call 211
Community services, local shelters, housing, and social supports.
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
Call 1-833-900-1010
Confidential support, referrals and crisis intervention across Canada.
Find a Shelter
Locate the nearest shelter or transition house in your community.
Create a Safety Plan
Guidance for safely navigating a difficult situation at your own pace.
Help Someone Else
Information for family members, friends and community members who want to help.
The "Leave This Page" button navigates away from this page immediately. Please note that it does not erase your browser history. For privacy, consider using a private browsing window or clearing your history after visiting.
What Someone Sees After Scanning
The moment someone scans a Hope Seat QR code, they are taken to a clean, private, mobile-optimised landing page with no login, no pop-ups, no personal information required. The first screen prioritizes immediate safety, then offers calm, clear pathways to the right kind of support.
First Screen — Mobile Landing Page
🚨 Immediate Danger?
Call 911
💜 Intimate Partner Violence Support
Crisis lines, shelters, safety planning
🤝 Human Trafficking Support
Confidential help and referrals
📍 Find Local Services
Nearby shelters, outreach and community support
🗺 Safety Planning
Step-by-step guidance at your own pace
🪑 Learn About This Hope Seat
Sponsor, location, and project information
QR Code Standards
- One unique dynamic QR code per installation
- No login or personal information requested
- No forced location tracking
- No donation or newsletter pop-ups
- Privacy-conscious, aggregate scan reporting only
- Crisis numbers printed on plaque as offline backup
- High-contrast, tamper-resistant outdoor plaques
- Regular resource review and link testing
Every Seat Creates a Visible Point of Hope
The Hope Seat Project tracks meaningful, community-centred impact — not just numbers, but stories of connection, courage and change. As the network grows across Nova Scotia, each new installation adds to a visible, provincial commitment to safety and support.
Communities Participating
Growing with every new partner and sponsor
Hope Seats Installed
Each one a permanent point of hope
Sponsors Engaged
Businesses and organisations investing in their communities
QR Resource Connections
Discreet, private connections to trusted help
Impact reporting will include installation stories and photographs, sponsor recognition, community partner features and an annual provincial impact summary — shared with sponsors, municipalities, media partners and the public.
Recommended Website Structure
The Hope Seat Project website is designed to serve multiple audiences simultaneously , survivors seeking discreet help, sponsors exploring partnership, municipalities considering a location, and community members wanting to learn more. "Get Help Now" remains permanently visible in the header on every page.
Help Us Create a Place Where Hope Can Begin
Sponsor a Hope Seat. Become a location. Help connect more people with the support they deserve. Together, we can build a Nova Scotia where no one has to face intimate partner violence, coercive control or human trafficking alone and where every community carries a visible reminder that help is always within reach.
The Hope Seat Project™
"Because sometimes hope begins with a place to sit."
The Hope Seat Project™