Chatty Chairs Program
Help us celebrate the launch of the Chatty Chairs program in Lane Cove with a free morning tea on Tuesday 8 April.
10:00am - 11:00am - Lane Cove Library
11:00am - 12:00pm - Lane Cove Plaza
The Chatty Cafe initiative aims to tackle loneliness and social isolation by inviting residents and visitors to engage in casual conversations in a welcoming environment. It has now been introduced at two separate venues within the Lane Cove Local Area.
The first dedicated venue for the Chatty Cafe initiative is the Chatty Bench at Lane Cove Plaza, located on the raised area near the large trees. This permanent fixture is designed to invite locals and visitors to take a seat and have a chat. Signage encourages visitors to engage in friendly exchanges and connect with others.
The second venue, known as the Chatty Chairs, is situated in the foyer of Lane Cove Library. These chairs are available every Tuesday from 10:00am to 12:00pm, providing a space where library visitors can relax and have a conversation with other patrons. The newly introduced Chatty Chairs in the library complements the existing program activities on Tuesdays. The chairs are a signposted to encourage people to sit, chat, and make new connections.
The Chatty chairs project is a collaborative initiative between Lane Cove Council and the Chatty Café scheme. The Chatty Café is focused on building friendly social connections, which, in turn, can help combat social isolation and loneliness.
Recent findings from the State of the Nation research study, released in February 2024, explored the connections between loneliness, social isolation, community knowledge and stigma in Australia.
The report revealed that one in three Australians feel lonely, with young adults (aged 18-24) and middle-aged individuals (aged 45-54) experiencing the highest levels of loneliness. This highlights the widespread impact of loneliness across all age groups.
The Chatty Café Scheme Australia, a Health promotion and Community Welfare charity, encourages all sorts of venues across Australia from restaurants to pubs to libraries to community centres and art galleries to provide a shared Chatty table.
If you are interested in becoming a Chatty Venue or would like more information about Chatty Café please visit - Chatty Cafe Australia.