The "loneliness" project which has more importance than ever

When local woman Alex Hoskyn founded the Chatty Cafe scheme back in 2017, she had no idea of the importance it would turn out to have.

Her idea to tackle loneliness by setting up special 'chatter and natter' tables in local cafes was one which, although already very powerful, would go on to become a survival tool for those coping with pandemic-related isolation.

As we all know, loneliness is a word which has hung heavy in the headlines over these months, and not without reason - with over 3 million UK adults reporting to feel lonely "often or always".

This extraordinary project has not only encouraged those experiencing loneliness to reach out and connect with new friends, but it has now grown from a small local scheme to one which has gained national recognition, with 1,400 venues nationwide.

In Rochdale, you can find a 'chatter and natter' table at numerous locations around the town centre, as well as surrounding areas such as Milnrow, Balderstone and Castleton.

So what exactly is a 'chatter and natter' table? You only need to step into Costa Coffee in Rochdale to find out. In a nutshell, designated tables are set up with a sign on them, on which anyone can take a seat if they are happy to talk. This simple but effective idea has led hundreds of people to making new friends and, as some of them have reported, an overall increase in their emotional wellbeing.

And it didn’t stop there. When the lockdowns took hold and people were forced to stay at home, founder Alex Hoskyn launched a telephone and online service where volunteers could speak with those who wanted to connect from the comfort of their homes.

Group sessions quickly developed and people from all over the country started taking part, and there's not a strong community of people who regularly connect through the scheme.

Operations Manager Abi Murray said that the winter months can be a particularly hard time for those experiencing loneliness, and that the scheme is open to anyone who would like to join in Rochdale and beyond.

She added: "The main inspiration behind the scheme was to offer a solution to those who are feeling isolated or lonely, both because of the pandemic but also before it too. That feeling of loneliness goes further than people think - it can be so debilitating that it can even cause further health problems and even physical problems.

"We want to offer people a solution to this modern world of isolation by giving them people to talk to, in places they can access easily. The winter months are particularly tough for people who are experiencing loneliness, especially around here where it's typically grey and dark most of the time. People are going outside less and feeling less connected, which can really have an impact on their overall wellbeing."

The Chatty Cafe scheme has gone on to gain national recognition, and has won numerous awards including the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award January 2020 and the Innovating for Ageing Award 2019.

More recently, Alex Hoskyn was among those named on the Queen's Birthday Honours list 2021. She has now been awarded an OBE for her efforts in tackling loneliness.

She said: "When I found out I had been awarded an OBE I was in complete shock, and I still am. It is a huge honour and wonderful to be recognised in this way.

"The Team and I have seen time and time again how detrimental loneliness can be on a person and how simply having a conversation can make someone go from feeling invisible to visible. We will continue striving to create opportunities for human interaction to tackle loneliness and social isolation on a national scale.

"This award has given us a real boost and I am incredibly grateful for the nomination."

GET INVOLVED

The Chatty Cafe Scheme now offers virtual "chatter & natter" meetings hosted online weekly and/or one to one phone chats, as needed, between members of the public and Chatty Volunteers. Virtual meetings may also prove to be key in areas where geographical distances simply make physically meeting up impossible or in situations where people have to or prefer to stay at home.

Research shows the success of telephone befriending programs and how chatting to another person can alleviate loneliness.

Telephone befriending can: 1. Reduce loneliness and social isolation 2. Increase connections 3. Increase feelings of self-worth and improve mental health 4. Increase confidence

FIND A CHATTER AND NATTER TABLE IN ROCHDALE

The tables are open to anyone - those on their own, couples, friends, carers, mums, dads, grandparents and babies.

A ‘Chatter & Natter’ table will be available for anyone to sit at from 9.30am to 11.30am, Monday to Friday.

Bean Cafe Number One Riverside, Rochdale OL16 1XU

Russells Cafe Yorkshire Street, OL16 1BH

Costa Coffee 3 Market Way, Rochdale OL16 1EA

River Beal Cafe 16 Ladybarn Ln, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 4GQ

Costa Coffee Kingsway Retail Park, Wallhead Rd, Rochdale OL16 5AF

Balderstone Library Balderstone Library, Platting Lane, Rochdale OL11 2HD

Team Karting Ensor Mill, Queensway, Rochdale OL11 2NU

Kirsty Rigg - Features writer

Kirsty Rigg