End UK loneliness/social isolation

Aim

We're combating the loneliness epidemic with 'happy to chat' pin badges/chat clubs/safe cafes all over the UK hosted by local volunteers.

Hundreds of Thousands of people need inspiration to leave loneliness and its stigma behind.

When Lockdown began we were all imprisoned in our homes with no release date. For millions , this situation hasn't changed. They are still too frightened to go into corridors, outdoors. We need to reach them and give them a choice, whether to keep loneliness or try to change it. Loneliness leads to early death and is comparative to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Post Lockdown, independent research showed that millions of people are still too frightened to go out. I am an ex- counsellor/teacher and homeless support worker, who's family emigrated to Australia and adult children moved away. 

I've battled loneliness all my life but when I faced up to  it's awful dark voice,secrets and stigma, I began to understand that I could choose to keep it, or try something new.

Since February 2022, 2302 people have accepted our invitation for a friendly cuppa in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Highcliffe, Ferndown and Wimborne alongside the  opportunity to make a friend, get health/wellbeing advice, laugh a lot and when confident, volunteer. Some beneficiaries attend once or twice a wee in our 12, twice daily chat clubs, hosted by local safeguarding trained volunteers,in local cafes.  

Doggy Chat and Chill club is on Saturdays for free doggy therapy. 

At CCL everyone, staff, members, volunteers pledge to see, hear and value everyone.

People smile wearing their Chat Cafe Local pin badges and a new happy to chat virus is spreading. 

This problem needs this resolution now, not after another year of un-enforced lockdown and 12 more months of stinking thinking.

In chat clubs and our once a month Nature Days OUT, everyone belongs, we talk, laugh, listen and learn. Attending members all report less loneliness/social isolation, an improvement in mental/physical health, but the non-attending members, are reporting,  'this idea gives them a reason to get up every day.' Our multi-complex needs beneficiaries say, their  winter days are going to be a bit brighter because they have phone numbers to call and new friendships to build upon.

Like myself, our friendly volunteers are passionate about this mission. They've all struggled with loneliness and this is helping them too.

We aim to to plant this  safe cafe project all over the UK, because this project works. It empower and stops loneliness and social isolation. 

Currently our social impact runs into millions of pounds; as stroke victims begin talking, 3 suicides have been avoided, cancer/amputee sufferers feel normal. Transgender are accepted and disabled/aged/mental health/learning disabilities/diabetic sufferers, giggle around a few tables.

Once a month we have days out, so far a teddy bear's picnic, walk/noddy train ride, nature romps, beach party, Highcliffe Castle day, ride up Christchurch Stour rivers as we joined all 4 towns together. Today now 6 towns, in a September beach party.

We need to raise money for benficiary benefits, such as guest speakers, days out in nature, transport costs to chat clubs, advertising/marketing, volunteer professional training, volunteer supervision/expenses, small  managerial salary. Fuel/transport costs, admin/office rental/ utilies/ IT/ internet updating/social media posting costs for a specialist.  Anne has been self funding this project our of her savings since Feb 2022. 

One member said 'The people who have gone before us are happy now because they are looking down and  seeing all their loved ones smiling around the chat club table.'

Chat Cafe Local achieves the hard, if not impossible for the services to achieve.

Please help us, to help others, to help themselves - to help others.

Outcomes.

Beneficiaries have a desire to go out more, are physically/mentally healthier. Their mobility and social connections increase and loneliness decrees. Members can make plans and build long lasting structure into their lives. Social connections build and loneliness decreases.

One unemployed volunteer, is now awaiting the outcome of a job interview.

This project will stop doctors nagging for years.

We would love individuals/companies to invest their treasure in us, so we can expand now,  rather than us wait months and months hanging on a thread of hope as grant applications are processed. 

This project successfully funded on 17th October 2022