A SIMPLE idea sparked in a café has gone on to help an estimated 30,000 people across the UK feel less lonely in under a decade.
The Chatty Café Scheme was set up in 2017 by Uppermill-based social worker Alex Hoskyn.
It has since grown into the country’s leading non-profit social enterprise tackling loneliness, with around 750 venues now taking part nationwide – including around 50 in Greater Manchester.
The idea was born while mum-of-two Alex, 42, was on maternity leave with her first son, Henry, who is now nine. Despite what she describes as “the happiest time of my life”, she found the days isolating.
“Almost ten years ago, the scheme was born from my own experience of loneliness after having Henry,” said Alex. “In many ways it was the happiest time of my life, but with my husband, Ryan, and friends at work, the days were long and lonely.”
Sitting alone in a café one day, she noticed other people who also appeared isolated. “I thought ‘wouldn’t it be great to sit together’. The simple act of 20 minutes of connection, company and conversation could change everyone’s day,” she said.
Her solution was straightforward: a sign on a table inviting people to sit and chat.
“Approaching a stranger is not comfortable for either party,” she explained. “So, I thought ‘why not put a sign on tables inviting people to sit and chat’ and the idea for The Chatty Café Scheme was born.”
The scheme’s Chatter & Natter tables are now hosted by volunteers in cafés, pubs, community centres, care homes and Costa Coffee stores. Alex continues to work full-time as a social worker, while her sisters, Abi Murray and Jenny Conway, run the day-to-day operation.
“We’re not running it as a business to make money. Any profit gets ploughed back into the scheme,” she said. “We now have around 750 participating venues, and our ambition is to reach 1,000 by the time we celebrate our 10th anniversary next April.”
To reach that milestone and expand into new areas – potentially including schools, colleges and workplaces – the scheme aims to raise £1 million over the next five years.
The impact so far has been significant. An independent evaluation by Coventry University found that 96 per cent of users felt less lonely, 70 per cent made new friendships and 80 per cent reported improved confidence.
With national figures showing loneliness has increased since the pandemic, local cafés, pubs and community organisations across Saddleworth are being encouraged to get involved.
More information about local Chatter & Natter tables and how to take part can be found at www.thechattycafescheme.co.uk
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