Combating loneliness with 'talking tables'

In recent weeks, signs appeared on some cafe tables in a British supermarket chain: "Reserved for customers in the mood for a chat."

Edward Collett works at the welcome desk as a London-area Sainsbury Supermarket. He notes that  customers come to him for company as much as for shopping questions, which has made him a keen observer of human behavior. A number of regular customers will wait on a longer line just to share a few words with a familiar check-out clerk. Some are elderly and living alone, and seem to use these small exchanges as a way of finding companionship. He sees the same trend in young mothers who spend their days caring for children's needs.

Collett is delighted Sainsbury is doing its part to support England's national Loneliness Initiative. He sees supermarkets and their cafes as the modern equivalent of the village green. He hopes customers take advantage of the opportunity to connect with others. After all, 'people fade away without human company.' 

She invited 60 strangers to a Christmas meal

First, an apology to my subscribers. Between the holiday chaos and a stomach bug, I've been off my Tuesday/Friday blogging schedule for a bit. Now I'm back on track. Fingers crossed I stay that way.

This story comes to us from Scotland. Back in November, Taylor Barnes overheard a woman say she dreaded the holiday season. She would be alone, and the media build-up of togetherness and family around Christmas did nothing but increase her sense of loneliness. Barnes was haunted by the truth behind the woman's words and wanted to do something. The idea of a community Christmas meal popped into her head, and she decided to make that happen. But as a nursing student and the single mother of a one-year-old, she was short on both time and money. 

She posted her idea on Facebook, and was amazed to see the response. Owners of a local steak house offered to cook and serve a luncheon right at their restaurant. Local businesses donated food and a hair salon offered services. Many businesses and individuals donated money to help make the Christmas meal a reality.

Barnes ran with it. She arranged transportation for her 60 guests, many of them disabled and/or lacking transportation, all of them strangers to Barnes. She used the remaining funds to buy gifts for everyone, including a toy or two for each child in attendance. According to the guests, the meal was delicious and the singer was quite entertaining, but having companionship on Christmas was best of all. 

Barnes was delighted with the outcome of her idea, but shrugged off any accolades. "It was a community effort," she said. "There's a lot of really good people out there."

He's not alone anymore

One of the regular customers at the Leeds, England grocery store where Ellie Walker works is 86-year-old Edwin Holmes. He chats up the employees and other customers, and most everyone there knows him by name.
At Christmastime, 22-year-old Ellie learned that Edwin would spend the holidays alone. His wife died years ago, and his adult daughter and grandchildren live in Australia. Ellie invited him to join her for a holiday dinner.

Edwin showed up for the dinner in his best suit, and even brought flowers for his 'date.' The unlikely duo had a lovely time. They still meet for coffee and long talks. Both of them feel their lives are richer for this cross-generational friendship.