Talking Tables
Talking Tables bring people together in a relaxed and friendly setting to share conversations over drinks.
The project aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation by providing a welcoming space for individuals to meet informally and share a drink, chat, and build meaningful connections.
Over the last year, 8,194 people attended a Talking Table session, with 60 sessions per week.
What to expect
When you come along to a Talking Table, you can expect:
- a warm, informal space where everyone is welcome
- tea and coffee provided for free
- friendly conversation with no agenda or expectations.
You do not need to book,feel free to turn up on the day.
People who have visited our Talking Tables locations say they feel:
- more connected and valued
- happier and more confident
- they are contributing to an improved sense of wellbeing.
Find out more about some real Talking Table experiences.
Talking Tables are free to attend and take place in:
- cafés
- faith and church-based spaces
- community halls
- libraries.
Take a seat, stay for 5 minutes or longer if you're enjoying chatting.
If you're still not sure if a Talking Table is for you, feel free to turn up and watch. There is no pressure to talk or take part if you do not want to.
Turning up is the first step to building connections.
Talking Table locations
Find locations on a:
Monday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Brainstormz Neurological Support | Rainham Healthy Living Centre, 103 to 107 High Street, Gillingham, ME8 8AA |
2pm to 4pm |
| Lenny’s of Eastgate | 137 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EW | 9.30am to 3pm |
| Lordswood Library | Kestrel Road, Lordswood, Chatham ME5 8TH | 2pm to 4pm |
| Mel's Place Cafe | 179 Wayfield Road, Chatham, ME5 0HD | 9.30am to 3pm |
| Mutual Aid Medway (MARR) Coffee Chat & Connect | Rainham Healthy Living Centre, 103 to 107 High Street, Gillingham, ME8 8AA | 12pm to 2pm |
| Second Chance Community Centre | Brompton Hill, Brompton, ME4 4XL | 10am to 11am |
| St Mary Magdalene Church Place of Welcome | The Parish Church, Gillingham Green, ME7 1SS | 9am to 1pm |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café |
Prospect Place, Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK | 9am to 2pm |
|
The Moat House Coffee Shop |
The Moat House, 8 Crow Lane, Rochester, ME1 1RF |
9.30am to 2.30pm |
| The NET Community Hub | The NET Community Hub, ME5 0QX | 10am to 1pm |
Tuesday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Society Dementia Café |
St Paul's Church, Long Catlis Road, Parkwood, Rainham, ME8 9PN |
First and third Tuesday of the month, 1pm to 3pm |
| Bread of Life Café | 17 Darnley Rd, Rochester ME2 2EU | 2.30pm to 4pm |
| Bread of Life Neuro Café | 17 Darnley Rd, Rochester ME2 2EU | Last Tuesday of the month, 10am to 12pm |
| Café Plus at Christ Church Luton | Luton Road, Chatham, ME4 5BT | 10am to 12pm |
| Craft and Chat Wellbeing Cafe | Magpie Centre, 33 Magpie Hall Road, ME4 5NE | 10.45am to 12.15pm |
| Lenny’s of Eastgate | 137 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EW | 9.30am to 3pm |
| McLeods Café at Mid Kent College Gillingham | Mid Kent College, Medway Rd, Gillingham ME7 1FN | 9.30am to 11.30am |
| Magpie Centre | 33 Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, ME4 5NE | 10.30am to 12.30pm |
|
Mutual Aid Medway (MARR) Coffee Chat & Connect |
Rainham Healthy Living Centre, 103 to 107 High Street, Gillingham, ME8 8AA |
12pm to 2pm |
|
St Francis Church Place of Welcome |
St Francis Church, Galahad Ave, Strood, ME2 2YS |
9am to 11.30am |
| Sue’s Crafty Café | Prospect Place, Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK | 9am to 2pm |
| Sunlight Wellbeing Café | Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Rd, Gillingham ME7 1LX | 10am to 2pm |
| The Cannon Cafe | Fort Amherst, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4UB | 10am to 12pm |
| The Moat House Coffee Shop | The Moat House, 8 Crow Lane, Rochester, ME1 1RF | 9.30am to 2.30pm |
| The NET Community Hub | The NET Community Hub, 70 Silverweed Road, Walderslade, ME5 0QX | 10am to 1pm |
Wednesday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| BlueBells Catering & Tea Room | 577 to 579 Maidstone Rd, Chatham ME5 9QX | 2pm to 4pm |
| Community Cafe | Magpie Centre, 33 Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, ME4 5NE | 9.30am to 2pm |
| Jaspers Community Café | Rochester Library, Eastgate, Rochester, ME1 1EW | 1.30pm to 3pm |
| Lenny’s of Eastgate | 137 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EW | 9.30am – 3pm |
|
Mutual Aid Medway (MARR) Coffee Chat & Connect |
Balmoral Healthy Living Centre, Balmoral Gardens, Gillingham, ME7 4PN |
10am to 12pm |
| Second Chance Community Cafe | Brompton Hill, Brompton, ME4 4XL | 10am to 11am |
| St Augustine’s Place of Welcome | Rock Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 5PW | 9am to11am |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café |
Prospect Place, Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK |
9am to 2pm |
| Sunlight Dementia Support Café | Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX | 1pm to 3pm |
| The Rainham Arms | 120 Wakeley Road, Gillingham, ME8 8NP | 2pm to 3pm |
Thursday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| All Saints Community Project Trust Community Café | The Magpie Centre, 33 Magpie Hall Rd, Chatham, ME4 5NE | 9.30am to 2pm |
|
Lenny’s of Eastgate |
137 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EW |
9.30am to 3pm |
|
McLeods Café at Mid Kent College, Gillingham |
Mid Kent College, Medway Rd, Gillingham ME7 1FN |
9.30am to 11.30am |
| Pip 'N' Jims Free Coffee Morning | The NET Community Hub, 70 Silverweed Road, Walderslade, ME5 0QX | 9.30am to 12pm |
| St Mathews Place of Welcome | Drewery Drive, Wigmore, Gillingham, ME8 0NX | 10am to 12pm |
| St Peter and St Paul Place of Welcome | The Street, Upper Stoke, Rochester, ME3 9RT | 10am to 12pm |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café |
Prospect Place, Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK |
9am to 2pm |
| Sue’s Crafty Café at Bellerophan House | Bellerophon House, Doust Way, Rochester, ME1 1FG | 10am to 2pm |
| Welcome Coffee Mornings | St Margaret's Church, High Street, Rainham, ME8 7JH | 10am to 12pm |
Friday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| All Saints Community Project Trust Community Café | The Magpie Centre, 33 Magpie Hall Rd, Chatham, ME4 5NE | 9.30am to 2pm |
| Bread of Life Café | 17 Darnley Rd, Rochester, ME2 2EU | 1.30pm to 3pm |
| Games Friday | Magpie Centre, Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, ME4 5NE | 1.30pm to 2.30pm |
|
Lenny’s of Eastgate |
137 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EW |
9.30am to 3pm |
| Lordswood Library | Kestrel Road, Lordswood, Chatham ME5 8TH | 11am to 1pm |
| Rochester Dementia Memory Café | Parish Centre, St Peter's Church, Delce Road, ME1 2EH | Last Friday of the month, except December, 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café |
Prospect Place, Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK |
9am to 2pm |
|
Sue’s Crafty Café at Bellerophan House |
Bellerophon House, Doust Way, Rochester, ME1 1FG |
10am to 2pm |
Saturday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Lenny’s of Eastgate |
137 High Street, Rochester, ME1 1EW |
9.30am to 3pm |
| Men's group at the Magpie Centre | Magpie Centre, Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, ME4 5NE | 10.30am to 12.30pm |
| Mel's Place Cafe | 179 Wayfield Road, Chatham, ME5 0HD | 11am to 1pm |
| Men's Breakfast Club | St Margaret's Church, High Street, Rainham, ME8 7JH |
First and third Saturday of the month. For details of times, call 01634 362 023 |
| Sue’s Crafty Café | Prospect Place, Blake Ave, Gillingham, ME7 1FX, UK | 9am to 2pm |
|
The NET Community Hub |
The NET Community Hub, 70 Silverweed Road, Walderslade, ME5 0QX |
1pm to 4pm (please note this session does not run on the last Saturday in the month) |
Sunday
|
Venue/Organisation |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mel's Place Cafe | 179 Wayfield Road, Chatham, ME5 0HD | 11am to 1pm |
Talking Table experiences
Working from home can be surprisingly isolating. Coming along to Talking Tables has given me a real sense of connection again. It’s informal, friendly, and I’ve met people I’d never usually cross paths with” James, age 34 (Second Chance Community Cafe)
After losing my wife, the days felt very empty. Coming to Talking Tables has helped fill that gap. The friendly faces, the laughter, even just sitting with others over a cup of tea — it’s brought a real sense of belonging back into my life" Peter, age 81 (Bread of Life Cafe)
Moving to a new area, I didn’t know anyone. Talking Tables made such a difference — it’s casual, welcoming, and there’s no pressure. I’ve made genuine connections and don’t feel so alone anymore." Leah, age 23 (McLeod's Cafe)