Chatty Table Volunteer

Chatty Table volunteer

Purpose of the role

The Chatty Café Scheme supports venues (cafes, pubs, community centres) to designate a table as a ‘chatter & natter’ table.

We currently have over 1,000 venues that have joined our scheme all around the UK. Venues are seeking support from volunteers to help establish their ‘chatter & natter’ tables as places in their community where people can come together to chat and socialise.

We are looking for volunteers to host ‘chatter & natter’ tables, where the volunteer helps create a welcoming space where members of the public can get together and chat, should they wish to.

We’re looking for a passionate, super-organised volunteer to work to support a venue local to them, to help establish a successful and well-attended ‘chatter & natter’ table.

Our vision is that ‘chatter & natter’ tables encourage people of all ages to talk to others and not feel so socially isolated; you will be instrumental in helping us achieve this and play a key role in connecting people within your community.

What to expect at the Chatter & Natter table

A venue joins the Chatty Café Scheme and is sent a ‘chatter & natter’ table sign and designates a table as a ‘chatter & natter’ table. This table is available to the public for anyone over the age of 18. The venue and volunteer will agree a time and day of the week that the volunteer will host the ‘chatter & natter’ table. The hosted table will run for around 1-2 hours per week. The table volunteer will welcome people to the table.

The volunteer must be comfortable socialising with people and have a keen eye on recognising anyone within the venue who may want to approach the table but needs some help sitting with others. A ‘chatter & natter’ table should consist of light-hearted chatting with a positive and happy tone so that communities organically connect, communicate, and want to return each week.

Is this role right for me?

You’re a strong communicator with excellent organisational skills. You are a kind, empathetic person who is passionate about making safe and welcoming spaces for people who are experiencing limited interaction and want to connect with other people.

Requirements from you

• Attend 1 x 30-minute onboarding session, complete an ID check via Zoom, provide 1 x reference name and watch safeguarding training.
• Agree to wear a Chatty Cafe name lanyard at all times whilst hosting the table.
• Update your Volunteer Manager of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have.
• Follow all guidance in your Table Volunteer training to ensure the Chatter & Natter table is enjoyable, appropriate, and in line with our mission, values, and policies.
• Provide monthly updates and feedback on how your table is going to the Volunteers Manager.

Our vision is that ‘chatter & natter’ tables encourage people of all ages to talk to others and not feel so socially isolated; you will be instrumental in helping us achieve this and play a key role in connecting people within your community.

• Organised, committed, and can allocate a minimum of 1-2 hours a week to host the table to meet and greet attendees.
• Good conversational skills and an ability to steer difficult conversations.
• Motivated and driven to promote the chatter & natter table.
• Raise awareness of the chatter & natter table.
• An enthusiasm for making genuine connections with people in your community.
• A friendly, patient, and empathetic approach.
• Basic computer literacy (including the ability to use email).
• Passionate about our vision.