Alex Hoskyns: Founder of the Chatty Cafe Scheme

Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Alex Hoskyns - Founded the Chatty Cafe Scheme. Cafes that take part have a ‘Chatter & Natter’ table which creates a space for people to talk; whether it is for five minutes while you drink a tea or coffee, or for an hour of good conversation. We’re not trying to build friendships – just simple interactions to combat loneliness and to just maybe have a big impact on someone’s day. Although the aims of the scheme are to reduce loneliness and get people chatting they do not to use the word "loneliness" on any of the publicity that is displayed in cafes. Instead it is presented as a positive step that focuses on bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together. - to mix everyone up! In January 2019 they were awarded the "Innovate in Aging" prize! a UK competition to find innovate solutions to an aging population and the judges liked the scheme because it is simple and effective.

• The Chatty Cafe Scheme
• (intergenerational dancing (in Polish) Dancing miedzypokoleniowy: Paulina Braun na TEDxWarsaw
• Secrets of Success TED talk
• How 'Buddy Benches' are Making Playtime Less Lonely
• Irish Buddy Benches
• Interview with Alex

About your host Richard Lucas

Richard is a business and social entrepreneur who founded, led and/or invested in more than 30 businesses, Richard has been a TEDx event organiser, supports the pro-entrepreneurship ecosystem, and leads entrepreneurship workshops at all levels: from pre-schools to leading business schools. Richard was born in Oxford and moved to Poland in 1991. Read more here.

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