The chat clubs bringing together communities in New Milton and Christchurch
HUNDREDS of people have attended a community chat club launched in New Milton to tackle the “loneliness epidemic”.
Chat Café Local was founded in February by Anne Anderson in a bid to encourage others to “leave lockdown’s loneliness behind”.
The scheme, which also extends into Bournemouth and Christchurch, provides an opportunity to chat at regular sessions in local venues – with Anne crediting it with helping to save at least two lives.
She said: “People from all walks of life come. Some are able-bodied, some are not. Some are young, some are not.
“So far two suicides have been prevented and speech has returned to stroke victims. People with illnesses feel normal.”
Locally, it hosts three afternoon clubs at the Naked Quench in New Milton; the Arcado Lounge in Christchurch on Tuesdays, 2.30pm to 4pm; and at the Cliffhanger in Highcliffe on Wednesdays, 2.30pm-4pm.
Anne told the A&T: “Our chat clubs operate six days a week, twice a day. We have a team of amazing local volunteers who host the tables: they welcome everyone, they play chat games and they get everyone talking. We are building little communities.
“So far we have managed to get over 700 people out of their homes because of the idea of chat clubs.”
Since the launch of the scheme, over 2,500 ‘Happy to Chat’ badges have also been handed out to those attending the sessions.
Anne said: “The badges are amazing because instead of looking at the pavements behind masks of fear, you can look up and around for badges and see who’s friendly or not in streets, on buses, in cafes or theatres.”
Anne anticipated the new clubs in Christchurch, Highcliffe and New Milton will attract high numbers because the area has an elderly population with many people living alone.
She said: “All our members say their mental health has improved since hearing and attending.
“Some haven’t attended but feel more hopeful about living because knowing the clubs are on six days a week gives them a reason to get out of bed.
“Fish need fish, birds need birds, and people need people. It is a fact that loneliness leads to early death.”
Chat Clubs are open to all, with volunteers on hand to look out for new arrivals.
Anne recalls she was inspired to launch the initiative after attending a post-lockdown party for 60 which only three people attended.
She realised people had become isolated because of the pandemic and anxious about going out to socialise.
A recent chat café session at the Cliffhanger in Highcliffe brought 16 people together to make new friends.
One user said: “It been absolutely wonderful for me. I’m going through sight loss and I have met others who are in the same situation – it’s so nice to chat to people who understand.”
Another regular user who attended a chat café in Christchurch had suggested opening the scheme in Highcliffe.
She said: “Anne is just incredible for what she has done. It’s lovely to have something to look forward to every week. Our group just keeps growing as more and more people hear about us.”
Visit www.chatcafelocal.com
