Have you ever found yourself sitting alone in a café, sipping coffee and wishing for a bit of friendly conversation? That’s exactly how The Chatty Cafe Scheme was born. On a rainy day, a new mother sat in a supermarket café, feeling a little low. She noticed an elderly woman looking equally down and a young man with additional needs sitting with his support worker, both seemingly out of conversation. In that moment, she realised how much a simple chat could lift someone’s spirits. From that small idea, The Chatty Cafe Scheme has grown into a nationwide movement with over 900 venues, including 440 Costa Coffee locations across the UK.

What is The Chatty Cafe Scheme?

The Chatty Cafe Scheme is the UK’s leading non-profit organisation dedicated to tackling loneliness. It provides three key services, all designed to encourage connection and conversation:

1. Chatter & Natter Tables ☕

These special tables are available in cafés, pubs, libraries, and even hospitals, offering a space where people can sit if they are happy to chat with others. Some locations also have volunteers who help facilitate the conversations. You can find a Chatty Table near you using this link: Find a Chatty Table.

2. Online Chatty Cafe Sessions 💻

Prefer a virtual chat? Join the online Chatty Cafe sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm – 1:30pm on Zoom. There’s no agenda—just friendly conversation with others who enjoy a good chat. If you’re new to Zoom and need help getting started, you can reach out to jenny@thechattycafescheme.co.uk for a trial session.

3. Telephone Friendship Service 📞

For those who might not be able to visit a café or join online, The Chatty Cafe Scheme also offers a Telephone Friendship Service. Volunteers call people who may be experiencing loneliness, offering a regular, friendly chat. Referrals for this service can be made through social prescribing networks.

Why it Matters

A short conversation—whether over coffee, online, or on the phone—can make a real difference to someone’s day. The Chatty Cafe Scheme isn’t about making lifelong friends; it’s about creating moments of connection that bring a little warmth and human interaction into everyday life. And the best part? It’s open to everyone, no matter your age or background.

So next time you’re in a café and see a Chatter & Natter sign, why not take a seat and start a conversation? You never know—you might just brighten someone’s day (or they might brighten yours!).

“Bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together” Alex Hoskyn