Hello everyone!
It’s hard to believe Christmas is only five months away—time is really flying! Hopefully, there’s still lots of sunshine ahead for us to enjoy this summer. Here's a quick update from The Chatty Café Scheme.
We’ve had a busy and heartwarming month...Jenny continues to train new volunteers to host our Chatter & Natter tables, and Linda is offering vital support to our amazing team of volunteers who make weekly phone calls to people experiencing loneliness. Meanwhile, our online Chatty Café group meets every Tuesday at 1pm, offering connection and conversation from the comfort of home.
💬 Feedback That Warms Our Hearts
The kind words we hear from those accessing our services continue to motivate us every day. Here's a snapshot of recent feedback:
A young lady with learning difficulties began attending our Chatter & Natter table to build confidence and meet new friends. Not only has her confidence grown immensely, but she’s also made new friendships and is now preparing to take on a volunteering role herself.
Pete, age 65, Living with a chronic condition treasures his weekly phone calls: “The calls are just brilliant. Anna is fascinating – we have really interesting conversations. "Carl also shared that walking his dog keeps him going daily. He was homeless for 30 years and has lost many friends along the way. While he knows people, he doesn't have many close friends – and that's where our chats truly make a difference.
💡 Fundraising for the Future
With funding for charities increasingly difficult to secure, we formed a Fundraising Steering Group earlier this year to explore sustainable ways to support our work.
We’re thrilled that Sharon and Laura, two of our wonderful volunteers, joined the group and have been meeting monthly with Abi to brainstorm fundraising ideas. Thanks to their creativity, we now have a brand-new ‘Get Involved’ section on our website full of fun, engaging ways to raise funds.
🌼 Looking ahead, we’re planning a special Chatty Cafe Day in Spring 2026, with exciting activities launching in the months before. To make it a success, we’d love more people to join the steering group!
Whether you have PR or media experience or simply a passion for our mission, we’d love your help. The group meets once a month online for one hour and is chaired by Abi.
📧 If you’d like to get involved, please contact Abi at: abi@thechattycafescheme.co.uk
☕ Volunteer Spotlight: Joan & Pete Hudson Chatty Café Volunteers
Why did you start volunteering with the Chatty Ca
We were asked by the café owner we regularly visit if we’d like to host a table. The previous hosts had stepped down, and since I’d recently stopped volunteering at the local library, we thought – why not?
What do you most enjoy about hosting a Chatty Table?
Watching strangers become friends is wonderful. We share laughs and talk about everything from cooking to family (especially grandchildren!).
What are your hobbies?
We love birdwatching. I also lead our local RSPB group, which keeps me busy. We enjoy spending time with family and having coffee in town almost every day.
That’s all for now – thank you for being part of the Chatty Café community. We hope you have a fantastic summer, and fingers crossed for more sunny days ahead!
With warm wishes,
The Chatty Café Scheme Team
🌐 www.thechattycafescheme.co.uk
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
