‘Chatty Café’ launched in Glenravel!
Monday 2 October 2023
Have a natter, catch up with friends or chat to new people at the Borough’s latest ‘Chatty Café’ at Con Magee’s GAC Healthy Club in Glenravel GAA Club!
Following on from the success of existing Chatty Cafes which have been established across MEA, Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network is delighted to announce the launch of this new venue.
A ‘Chatty Café’ is where a venue designates a table and makes it available as a ‘chatty table’ where customers can sit if they are happy to talk to other customers.
The scheme, being rolled out by Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network and part funded by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the Northern Trust, aims to tackle loneliness and reduce isolation by creating opportunities to talk and interact.
It comes following the success of the ‘Chatty Benches’ scheme which has seen bright yellow benches in public spaces across the Borough create an opportunity for conversation in the outdoors.
The new ‘Chatty Café’ was officially opened by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, who said: “One in three people in Northern Ireland are likely to experience feelings of loneliness in their lifetime. The ‘Chatty Café’ is such a simple idea which produces amazing results by just talking and communicating with others. I am proud to launch this new ‘Chatty Café’ and I know local people will absolutely love it!”
Máire O’Loan from the Healthy Club added: "This is such a great scheme which promotes understanding and kindness and we are so proud to be involved. I can reassure people that if they are feeling isolated they will get a big welcome at Glenravel GAA Club. You never know what people are going through and a bit of laughter and conversation can lift everyone’s spirits. I really hope this scheme will encourage more people to reach out and take that first step.”
Yvonne Carson, Thematic Lead for Loneliness & Social Isolation, NHSCT said: “It’s very encouraging to see the establishment of another ‘Chatty Café’ in Mid and East Antrim. Customers can enjoy a cuppa and a bun while having a conversation and meeting new people. You never know who you might get talking to and a nice chat can mean the world to someone – whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour of good conversation.”
Mid and East Antrim Loneliness Network launched in December 2019 and is made up of a range of community voluntary and statutory organisations who all work together to prevent and address loneliness. You can find a ‘Chatty Café’ at the following locations:
- Blessings Coffee Shop, Cullybackey
- The Salvation Army, Main Street, Larne
- The Prom Café, Larne Leisure Centre
- Barbara Anns Home Bakery, Larne
- The Lunch Box, AEL, Larne
- The Clocktower Café, Carrickfergus
- Delaceys Bakery, Carrickfergus
- Café Rima, De Courcey Centre, Carrickfergus
- Ballykeel 1, Moving Forward Breakfast Club, Ballymena
- Café Riva, Larne
- The Oasis, Larne Elim Pentecostal Church
- Glenravel GAA Club, Ballymena
To find out more go to our MEA Loneliness Network page.