The Chatty Cafe Scheme, set up to encourage safe social interactions and help tackle isolation and loneliness, is heading to Kingston upon Thames and is encouraging cafes within the borough to get involved. 

The scheme was created in 2017 by Alexandra Hoskyn. As a new mother in 2017, Alex noticed how easy it was to have no interaction with others even when out of the house, and began working on the idea. 

By 2020, she had won the backing from multinational chain Costa Coffee and supermarket giant Sainsbury's and there are now 1,000 cafes participating in the scheme in the UK.

Since the initial pandemic lockdown, the scheme was transformed into a phone call service to combat loneliness which it still provides, however, with the UK working its way back to a new sense of normality, the Chatter and Natter tables have been returning to cafe tables. 

Loneliness hasn't gone away with the end of the pandemic lockdown, and simple social exchanges can make a great difference to the way people feel, something the Chatty Cafe scheme is eager to highlight. 

Whether a student is feeling at University, a grandparent is suffering from loneliness or a new parent is looking for company beyond that of their new-born, the Chatty Cafe Scheme aims to bring people together by creating safe spaces where people are happy to interact with others. 

A typical look for a Chatter & Natter table in a cafe signed up for the Chatty Cafe scheme.

Kingston Council has agreed to cover the cost of the first 25 venues that join the scheme and those interested are urged to contact [email protected] to register interest. 

In January 2019 the scheme won the Innovating for Ageing competition established by specialist financial services company, Just Group. The competition aimed to find solutions to the UK's ageing problem and judges picked the Chatty Scheme due to its simplicity and effectiveness. 

The Chatty Cafe Scheme is now run full-time by Abi Murray and Jenny Bimpson, with part-time input from Alex. Visit their website to learn more on the services offered throughout the UK.