A GLOBAL initiative that connects communities and ‘gets people chatting’ will launch in Murray Bridge next week.
Country agency ac.care has partnered with The Haven Murray Bridge to host South Australia’s first Chatty Café on Thursday, August 3, hoping to brighten the day of residents while reducing social isolation in country communities.
The Murraylands community is invited to join the distinct yellow ‘Have A Chat’ table from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Square every Thursday as part of the fun, social outing.
Community Connections Murraylands support worker Sheila Millington encouraged residents to come along and meet new people in a safe, comfortable social space.
“Building friendly social connections does not need to take grand gestures, it is often the simple and small things like a brief chat that can brighten someone’s day,” Sheila said.
“Our Chatty Café will provide that safe, social space where people from all walks of life can come together and chat for a minute or an hour – the choice is theirs.
“We know that forming these connections can take time and that is why we are going to meet weekly on Thursdays, allowing people to return or new faces to join in and simply have a chat.”
Sheila said the Chatty Café initiative was known in other communities across Australia and the world, providing visitors or people relocating to the region with a familiar way to connect to their community.
“We continue to learn more about how social isolation affects mental health and general well-being so we feel it is important to provide a regular opportunity for people to come together and meet new people,” she said.
“This aligns strongly with a core part of ac.care’s mission, which is for country people to have strong, positive relationships.”
The Chatty Café Murray Bridge will be held Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Square, located at 2 South Terrace, Murray Bridge.
For more information, contact Sheila Millington on 8531 4900 or visit ac.care Murraylands at 29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge.