The Let's Get Chatty Service (LGC) was set up during the height of the pandemic in May 2020 by coordinator Shila Jassal. The intention of the Service was to support people in Medway who were feeling lonely or isolated. The group grew significantly during this time as many were experiencing loneliness and isolation during the lockdown period and were in need of the Service.
Since this time LGC has expanded it's services to offer 1-1 befriending support, coffee mornings, games evenings and walk and talk events, alongside many other activities. We have members from all backgrounds and age groups, who enjoy attending our events and engaging with our services. Some of our members have shared their experience of the support LGC has provided them with.
"I thoroughly enjoyed the walk as have missed social contacts since my wife passed away recently. The company was very pleasant and I hope to do more of such activities in the future."
Bert
"It was my first encounter with everyone and the first time I'd been in a social environment for a while, so it was a little daunting, but I was made most welcome."
Cheryl
Due to the success of the project, we won the Pride in Medway Award for Community Service in 2022.
In November 2022, the LGC group decided to separate from the main charity under which it was housed due to misaligned values. The team left with it's integrity intact. However, due to the circumstances under which we had to leave, we were not permitted to take any of our intellectual or physical property with us, including the funds we had raised through our hard earned efforts. As a result of this we are now needing to start building up the organisation again, with resources to enable us to bring it back to it's previous success. On a positive, the original team has stayed together, including most of our beneficiaries and stakeholders, so we are on a strong footing as we move forward. On 28 November 2022, Shila was granted the trademark for Let's Get Chatty.
It seems unlikely that we will be able to recover our previous funds and property. This is why we have started this crowdfunding page, to rebuild funds and purchase items that we need to operate such as annual insurance, high vis vests, office equipment. We would therefore welcome your support to rebuild the service back up. You will support us to help many more Medway residents who are in critical need of our service, that are feeling lonely and isolated.
With your help we aim to rebuild the Service to become stronger and more successful. Moving forward, we are excited to diversify what we offer and aim to run more annual events for our members, including hiring a minibus to enable members who have mobility issues and are without transport, therefore bringing even more people together to socialise and become a part of our thriving community. With your support we will be able to combat isolation and loneliness in the Medway area and collectively achieve this goal.