Feeling Chatty?
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we want to draw attention to the wonderful work some of our volunteers are currently involved in at YPRL!
From little things, big things grow. That’s the feeling we get at YPRL when we launched our first Chatty Café at Eltham Library just over a year ago. Fast forward to today, and we now have additional Chatty Café tables running at Ivanhoe, Whittlesea, and Mill Park libraries.
Of course, we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers who help to facilitate 3 of our Chatty Café programs!
The Chatty Café scheme is a global initiative that launched in the U.K. many years ago, out of a growing need to support social connection, relationship-building, and very simply, ‘chatting’, over a good old cup of tea or coffee.
Luckily for us, it spread to Australia in 2019. It is estimated that over 200 Chatty Café venues are currently operating around the country—and 4 of them are right here at YPRL!
How does it work?
Chatty Cafés are safe and welcoming spaces for everyone—whether you decide to come alone, with a partner, a carer, a grandchild, etc. You can stay for 5 minutes or the whole hour. Some weeks might have 2 participants, and other weeks up to 8 participants. The feeling is always warm and inviting with room for more attendees.
It’s a great informal way to meet people and get chatting about anything and everything!
Feedback from our participants say that it’s a great way to support people who:
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Are feeling lonely or isolated
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Want to meet new people
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Want to make connections in the local community
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Are interested in chatting about different perspectives on a range of everyday topics
“I was feeling really isolated and in need of social interaction - Chatty Cafe has given me an opportunity for connection. We share photos of grandkids and gardening tips. Sometimes we talk about current events or share our life experiences like travel and hobbies”.
- Participant at the Chatty Cafe
“Even people who are well read, travelled, and have enjoyed a successful career can feel lonely or isolated. Chatty Cafe is a chance for everyone to enjoy some conversation and a cuppa”.
- Chatty Cafe Volunteer
Our volunteers:
Our volunteers help to stimulate chatter around the table and keep the conversations flowing. You’ll know our friendly volunteers by their bright ‘volunteer’ name badge, and you can usually spot them setting up the Chatty Café table and tea trolleys before a session. If you’re not sure about joining the group, chat to one of the volunteers about how it works and find out if it’s for you.
We look forward getting chatty with you at one of our next sessions:
