Cafe runs chatty sessions to combat loneliness

A cafe has introduced a "chatting" table to combat loneliness in the local community.

The first ever "chatter and natter" session at Chard's CommuniTea Waffle on Holyrood Street took place in May, offering a chance for customers to meet new people.

The idea is that anyone, no matter what age or background, can sit together and socialise on the designated table.

Cafe manager Blue Gover said: "We're all about bringing people together and making sure everyone feels welcome and there's a space for people to come if they need it."

The cafe is a not-for-profit organisation which gives all proceeds to projects and charities elsewhere in Chard.

As part of those efforts, they decided to help people who feel lonely in the community.

"We realised how lonely people can get," Ms Gover said.

"One thing that really stood out to us was an older gentleman who said he just comes in to 'see someone'. We needed to do something about this.

"We noticed that loneliness comes hand-in-hand with finances so we have a pay-it-forward programme so if you came in and wanted a coffee you could take a voucher off the board and you could still have a chat and not feel like you don't belong."

Ms Gover said to remove any potential awkwardness, they have a volunteer who joins the chatty table and helps get conversations started.

"What we're hoping is create a group of people who come in on a Thursday," Ms Gover said.

"It doesn't matter who you are and how old you are. Even if it's just for five minutes it gives you the opportunity to get a different perspective, to shut off from the world."

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