Sainsbury supermarket has launched a ‘talking tables’ initiative in which some tables in the store’s café have been designated for customers to have conversations with a stranger. This plan aims at helping people feel less isolated and alone and follows the government’s launch of its ‘loneliness strategy’.
20 Sainsbury’s cafes are piloting the idea and employees have said they have since seen people come in every day for company as much as they do for shopping. Edward Collet, who works in the Fulham, west London branch, said customers don’t want to feel ‘stigmatised’ as lonely and often crave company but don’t feel comfortable to ask for it.
He said that as more public places continue to close and as venues become more digitally based, the supermarket and its café have become some of the last places people can still experience human interaction. The idea aims at helping those who suffer from chronic isolation and the welcome desk of the café also offers a helpline if customers need it.
“We know from our Living Well Index that community connections are a key diver of helping people to live well. Yet with almost two-thirds of us feeling lonely some of the time, it’s important that we contribute to helping to improve the lives of our customers and communities. We hope that by bringing people together at our Talking Tables, we can utilise the potential of our store-space to help people be better connected to the communities they live and work in,” said Judith Batchelar, director of Sainsbury’s brand.
