A new initiative called the Chatty Café Scheme has been set up in the North of England to reduce loneliness and get people talking. 

The scheme encourages cafes to have a Chatter & Natter table, which is where customers can sit if they are happy to talk to other customers. The tables can be sat at by anyone; somebody on their own, a couple, a carer with who they care for, mums and babies, dads and babies, young people, older people and anyone in between! The idea is that when a person is deciding where to sit, they can look for the Chatter & Natter table and sit there; staying for five minutes while they have their drink or longer. It’s not about making friends just having good old fashioned human interaction.

Cafes involved are sent a plastic A4 table sign, posters and are listed on the website, they simply decide the day and time to do it and on that day and time put the sign on a table of their choice. We do ask for a one off £10 which covers the postage and cost of sign but that’s it.

So far around 65 cafes in the North West have a weekly Chatter & Natter table but we would love to have some in Leeds, if you are a venue that would like to get involved please contact Alex on 07917 586 160 or email her at info@thechattycafescheme.co.uk. www.thechattycafescheme.co.uk