Brackley shows power of conversation can combat loneliness in a community
Weekly conversation sessions in three cafés and pubs in Brackley, Northamptonshire, are helping to tackle loneliness in the town. This is thanks to The Chatty Café Scheme, the UK’s leading non-profit social enterprise designed to combat isolation and help local people connect.
Three local venues in Brackley now host a weekly Chatter & Natter table, The Crown Hotel, Esquires Coffee and the Paisley Pear pub.
Brenda Pears (72), a great-grandmother from Brackley who lives alone, first discovered the sessions through a local Facebook group. She explains:
“I liked the Chatty Café group from the off. It’s relaxed and I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and all ages. I started making friends, swapping numbers and really feeling part of the community.
“It’s a huge thing for me. It’s turned my life around. I’ve never had such a great social life.”
Brenda became a volunteer host two years ago and helped set up a weekly evening session at another Brackley pub, the Paisley Pear, which regularly attracts around 20 people.
Jon Haslam, who set up the first Chatty Café session in Brackley in August 2022 after retiring, now helps run three Chatter & Natter tables in the town, supported by volunteers. Together, they welcome 80–90 people every week.
“For anyone who has lost a loved one, finds themselves living alone, or is new to the area, the Chatty Café Scheme offers a simple way to connect with others,” Jon said.
“The hardest part is walking through the door for the first time. After that, people realise there’s no pressure, just a cup of tea and a friendly conversation. Week by week, you see confidence grow and friendships form.”
Nigel Parsons, (74), has been a Chatty Café attendee for two and a half years after losing his long-term partner, Sue, quite suddenly. He now lives with his two dogs, Blackie and Brownie, and said: “I became aware I needed to do something to get me out of the house and meeting people. The Chatty Café concept is quite brilliant. I go most weeks and have made friends. All the people I knock about with are through the Chatty Café now. It’s made a massive difference to my life.”
The Chatty Café Scheme now has around 750 Chatter & Natter tables across the UK, hosted in cafés, pubs, community centres, care homes and Costa Coffee stores. Organisers say there is huge potential for many more venues across the Midlands, including Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands.
Founded in 2017 by Alex Hoskyn, a social worker from Greater Manchester, the scheme was inspired by her own experience of loneliness as a new mum.
“I saw how powerful even 20 minutes of conversation can be, but also how hard it is to approach a stranger,” Alex said.
“A simple sign on a table removes that barrier and gives people permission to connect.”
As the scheme approaches its 10th anniversary, it aims to reach 1,000 venues nationwide, requiring £1 million of funding over the next five years to expand into more communities.
“Every penny raised is reinvested straight back into the scheme,” Alex added.
“There’s no reason why every town and village across Northamptonshire and beyond couldn’t have a Chatty Café table.”
Loneliness has increased since the pandemic, with millions of adults reporting feeling lonely “often” or “always”. An independent evaluation by Coventry University found that:
- 96% of Chatty Café users felt less lonely
- 70% made new friendships
- 80% reported improved confidence
Cafés, pubs, community centres and organisations across the region are encouraged to consider becoming Chatty Café Scheme venues.
To find your nearest Chatter & Natter table, become a venue, volunteer or supporter, visit: