Simply passing the time of day with a stranger could bring some longed-for human contact to someone’s day, helping to end their loneliness in the process.
That’s the premise of a new ‘chatty table’ at Curran’s Bakery & Coffee Shop in Greysteel.
The table, in the café, is marked with distinctive signage indicating that customers who sit at it are happy to talk to other customers, while they enjoy their refreshments.
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The initiative aims to address loneliness and reduce isolation by creating opportunities to talk and interact.
The introduction of the scheme to the Co Derry cafe was brought about by The Causeway Loneliness Network which works to prevent and address loneliness.
Felim Curran, who owns Curran’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, told MyDerry: “We see first-hand those who have been affected by loneliness, from single mums to older men who have been bereaved, and we know how a friendly chat can really brighten their day.
"Especially during Covid, we were seeing more and more people coming in for their buns, the same people on a weekly basis, and they would tell us that it was great to get in and have a chat because they weren't getting that as often as they would like."
He continued: "We've noticed that even if it's 30 seconds of conversation, it can really give people that wee bit of boost for the rest of their day.
"Then when things began to open up and again, and we could welcome people back into the shop, we heard that the council was trying to get this Chatty Cafe scheme up and running and we wanted to be involved.
"We now have a Chatty Cafe sign on a table inside our premises and the idea is that if someone comes in and sits, another person can sit along with them, if they don't mind, and they can have a conversation.
"It's brilliant because we've seen it used quite a few times now, Felim added. "Even today we had one of the local ministers come in and two or three others came in shortly after and they all sat down and they had a good chat and a cup of coffee.
"That's what it's all about and we're hoping our Chatty Café table will provide more opportunities for people like this."
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