A Basingstoke café has joined a national scheme to help people chat and reduce loneliness.

Café in the Park, in Beggarwood, has joined the Chatty Café Scheme, which aims to reduce loneliness by encouraging people to talk to each other.

The scheme was created by Alexandra Hoskyn, who got the idea after a 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 cafés, it created a space for people to talk.

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Café in the Park has opened a Chatter & Natter table (Image: Café in the Park) Café in the Park has also relaunched its 'Friendship Fridays' and has lots of events planned including Card n a Cuppa, The Oakley Stitchers, Computer Help, and puzzles and games.

The 'Chatter & Natter' table will be available every Friday from 10.30am to 11.30am.

The scheme has been found to be effective in reducing loneliness, with a report from Coventry University in May 2022 revealing that 100 per cent of Chatter & Natter table users said it made them feel less lonely and socially isolated.

Additionally, 97 per cent of venues feel that the Chatter & Natter tables are encouraging community spirit.

The Chatty Café Scheme said: "The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted those experiencing loneliness and we know that simply having a chat can brighten someone’s day."

People are encouraged to join the Chatter & Natter table, whether they're alone, in a couple, with a friend, a carer, or parents with their babies.

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The scheme invites people from all walks of life, including young people, older people, and everyone in between.

The idea is to provide a space for people to meet new people in their community and engage in human interaction.

People are encouraged to stay for as long as they want, whether it's for a quick five-minute chat while having a drink, or a longer conversation.

It's not about making life-long friends, but rather having some good old-fashioned human interaction.

For more information, visit the Chatty Café Scheme's website or follow Café in the Park's social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Alternatively, you can also reach out to them via email at Community@beggarwood.org.

The café's initiative provides a platform for individuals to come together, share their experiences, and enjoy a sense of community.