Talking Tables
The Talking Tables initiative is aimed at reducing the experience of loneliness and social isolation, fostering meaningful connections.
The project was launched to create a supportive network of venues each hosting a designated ‘talking table’. These tables will serve as a welcoming environment for people potentially experiencing loneliness, encouraging social connections, and building a sense of community.
The tables further seek to promote mental wellbeing.
Venues currently include community café’s, faith and church-based spaces, libraries, and commercial cafés. They are free to attend - just drop in.
People that visit Talking Tables sessions have reported feeling more connected and valued, contributing to an improved sense of wellbeing and giving some purpose to the day.
I love the conversations and games on a Monday afternoon. It gives me a reason to get up and something to look forward to,” Bobbie (Lordswood Library participant)
I live alone, and if it was not for the talking table and people here, I would not see anyone or speak to another living person (except the young girl on the check-out in the shop),” Barry (The Bread of Life – Strood)
Talking Table locations
Find locations on a:
Monday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| The NET Community Hub | The NET Community Hub, ME5 0QX | 10am to 1pm |
| Sue’s Crafty Café | Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK | 10am to 2pm |
| Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café | Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester | 10am to 2pm |
| The Moat House Coffee Shop | 8 Crow Lane, Rochester ME1 1RE, UK | 10.30am to 12pm |
| Boyces Bakery | Rainham Shopping Centre, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 7HW, UK | 12pm to 2pm |
|
WALT Working Against Loneliness Together |
Café 363 Lounge, Walderslade Village |
2pm to 4pm |
|
Lordswood Library |
Lordswood |
2pm to 4pm |
|
Sunlight Development Trust Wellbeing Cafe |
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX |
5.30pm to 8pm |
Tuesday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Café Francis | St Francis Church, Galahad Avenue, Strood, ME2 2YS | 9am to 12pm |
| McLeods at Mid Kent College | Medway Road, Gillingham, ME7 1FN | 9.30am to 11.30am |
| The NET Community Hub | The NET Community Hub, ME5 0QX | 9.30am to 12.30pm |
| Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café | Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester | 10am to 2pm |
| Sue’s Craft Café | Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1FX | 10am to 2pm |
|
Sunlight Development Trust Wellbeing Cafe |
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX |
5.30pm to 8pm |
|
The Bread of Life |
17 Darnley Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2EU |
To be confirmed |
Wednesday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
St Augustine’s |
Rock Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 5PW |
9am to 11am |
| The Bread of Life | 17 Darnley Road, Strood, Kent ME2 2EU | 10am to 2pm |
|
Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café |
Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester |
10am to 2pm |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café |
Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1FX |
10am to 2pm |
| Jaspers Community Cafe | Medway Adult Education, Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester, ME1 1EW | 1.30pm to 3pm |
Thursday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| McLeods at Mid Kent College | Medway Road, Gillingham, ME7 1FN | 9.30am to 11.30am |
|
St Mathews |
Drewery Drive, Wigmore, Gillingham, ME8 0NX |
10am to 12pm |
|
St Peter & St Paul |
The Street, Upper Stoke, Rochester, ME3 9RT |
10am to 12pm |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café |
Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1FX |
10am to 2pm |
| Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café | Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester | 10am to 2pm |
| The Bread of Life Community Café | 17 Darnley Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2EU | 11am to 2pm |
|
Sunlight Development Trust Wellbeing Cafe |
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX |
5.30pm to 8pm |
|
The Bread of Life Community Café |
17 Darnley Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2EU |
5.30pm to 8pm |
Friday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café |
Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester |
10am to 2pm |
| Sue’s Crafty Café | Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1FX | 10am to 2pm |
|
The Bread of Life |
17 Darnley Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2EU |
10am to 3pm |
|
Sunlight Development Trust Wellbeing Cafe |
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX |
5.30pm to 8pm |
Saturday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café | Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester | 10am to 1pm |
|
The Bread of Life |
17 Darnley Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 2EU |
10am to 2pm |
| Sue’s Crafty Café | Blake Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 1FX | 10am to 2pm |
|
WALT Working Together Against Loneliness |
The NET Community Hub, ME5 0QX |
1pm to 3pm |
|
Sunlight Development Trust Wellbeing Cafe |
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX |
3.30pm to 6.30pm |
Sunday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gillingham Street Angels Rochester Café | Bellerophan House, Doust Way, Rochester | 10am to 1pm |
|
Sunlight Development Trust Wellbeing Cafe |
105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX |
3.30pm to 6.30pm |