On Wednesday 10th June 2026 the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mark Llewellin DL, called into The Chatty Café Scheme’s Chatty Table at IKEA Manchester. A timely visit to help promote the scheme ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week which runs from 15th to 21st June.
Having settled down with a cup of tea and a Custard Cream he answered numerous questions about his life before, during and what he has in store after his year in office as High Sheriff. As a former Garden Centre owner he shared an interesting tale about his pruning skills but, with a nod to his life in the theatre the ending – as in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap – must remain with those who were there…
Those present were given an insight into the pomp and pageantry as well as the less glamorous aspects of the role. The Chatty Table was the second of three official engagements on the day and approaching a hundred in the two months since taking up the appointment.
A High Sheriff is an independent, non-political, and unpaid ceremonial officer appointed for one year to represent the Sovereign in a county of England or Wales. They support the judiciary and emergency services, encourage crime reduction, and champion local voluntary and charitable organisations.
The High Sheriff covers the whole of Greater Manchester – Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.
All expenses of his year in office are borne by him.
IKEA Manchester has joined The Chatty Café Scheme – reducing loneliness to get people chatting!
Look out for the ‘Chatty Table’ on Wednesday’s from 3pm till 5pm.
The Chatty Café is a great way of encouraging people to talk to others. The scheme is the brainchild of Alexandra Hoskyn, who founded it after a miserable day at a supermarket café with her infant son, where she noticed that no one was talking to each other. She found that by simply putting ‘Chatter & Natter’ signs on tables in cafes it created a space for people to talk.
A Chatter & Natter table brings people together and everyone is invited!
Who can join in?
Anyone… if you’re on your own, in a couple, with a friend, if you’re a carer why not sit there with who you care for, mums and babies, dads and babies, grandparents and babies, young people, older people and anyone in between! It’s a great way to meet new people in your community.
What do I do?
When you are deciding where to sit, look for the Chatter & Natter table and sit there! Stay for five minutes while you have your drink or longer. It’s not about making life-long friends, just having good old fashioned human interaction!
It’s official! The Chatty Cafe Scheme is reducing loneliness and social isolation by getting people chatting! Coventry University have published their report and the key findings are that 100% of Chatter & Natter table users said it made them feel less lonely and socially isolated, plus, 97% of venues feel that the Chatter & Natter tables are encouraging community spirit. The Chatty Café Scheme commented that, “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted those experiencing loneliness and we know that simply having a chat can brighten someone’s day.”
For more information, please visit their website: https://thechattycafescheme.co.uk/
