About

Sue Pyle Founder

The gift of friendship can bring as great a reward to the individual giving as it does to the recipient.

Having worked with many people throughout my career as a podiatrist I have seen the impact of these situations and the resulting loneliness. Support members are dropping away over time, leaving people feeling lonely and seemingly invisible. This is especially notable in the elderly population but not uncommon for some in younger generations either. It isn’t always just about company. It is more often about feeling connected to the world around you even if only in a small way. Feeling that one makes a difference or that one means something to another. Research suggests that just five minutes of social contact can provide us with a sense of belonging, improve wellbeing and mental health. Friendly interaction can raise tolerance levels and deepen community spirit. Even five minutes of light hearted banter on a bench with a stranger can raise spirits and keep one connected to the world.

Vision

Our vision is to bring together local communities in the movement to end loneliness and social isolation.

Mission

Launched on 27th March 2023, our mission is to be able to provide sociable seating all over the world to communities and people living with loneliness. Read the full article here.

Key Benefits

The key benefits and objectives for this project are low cost, simplicity, spontaneity, and no formal commitment of charitable time.

Innovation

It’s a simple idea. A recognisable and universal sign is attached to an existing public bench to indicate that anyone sitting there is inviting conversation with a stranger – a Sociable Seat™ . Passers-by will be invited to volunteer their time and take a few moments to pause and chat to whomever they might find sitting on the bench. The idea is extendable to cafes, restaurants and pubs, where the universal sign will indicate that customers can share a table with strangers. Particularly suited for those who are solo. Locations are registered and searchable via this website.

Background

This Project’s vision for developing Sociable Seating™ has taken roots in the hearts and minds of a small group of people in Devon as they work together to release communities from loneliness.

Covid united us in adversity and demonstrated the benefits of a connected and caring community. Post-pandemic, most have been able to return to some form of normal, however it has left many people feeling more isolated than ever. They may have lost touch with previous connections and feel more concerned about going into busy social spaces. Sadly, social interaction can often reduce dramatically when one falls into ill-health, becomes bereaved, enters old age and retirement or when one is single or battling difficult circumstances. The very times when one would benefit from company the most!

Indeed, these people often want to interact but don’t want to join a club or be restricted to certain times of the week – welcome to Sociable Seating™

The Gift of Friendship

The gift of friendship can bring as great a reward to the individual giving as it does to the recipient. A great advantage of this project is that neither person will know if the other individual sitting there is the one lonely or the one going with the intent of offering some friendly conversation. Of course, it’s even possible that both individuals are going to give. This naturally takes away the stigma that some lonely people worry about. In giving a few minutes of companionship one will always receive something of value in return.

The universal Sunflower Sign™ provides the reassurance that personal space will not be invaded when approaching a bench or seating area, encouraging the opportunity to interact with other people, perhaps just on an off chance as you pass by. Haven’t we all found ourselves sitting in waiting rooms staring at the ceiling as we are unsure if conversation would be welcomed or avoiding sitting on the bench where someone is already seated in case we might be violating their quiet space? Wouldn’t it be good to know when conversation is welcomed?

Seating

+3000 Seats Registered

Communities

+15 communities involved

Counties

+9 counties