Let's Chat
Sparking Social Connections through Community Collaborations​​
​​The goal of Let's Chat is to create and support impromptu social connections in everyday settings for those seeking increased engagement. Whether in restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops displaying our signature yellow table tents encouraging patrons to, "Take a seat and stay for a bit if you'd like to say hello and connect with a fellow community member," or in public spaces with benches carrying our orange Chatty Bench or blue Buddy Bench signs which state the same, we encourage all who'd like to benefit from brief connections with others to join our Let's Chat Community.
We know that even a small moment of connection during someone’s day can have a significant impact on elevating moods and changing outcomes. We hope these opportunities encourage community members to say hello and have conversations with outcomes from which participants benefit through extra sparks of uplifting connectivity brought to their day.
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Let's Chat Collaborative partners span public and private sectors, including local restaurants, businesses, civic organizations, nonprofits, and community leader​s, yet the most important element of Let's Chat is the engagement of community members who want to help us put an end to epidemic levels of loneliness.​ With social connection comes elevated outcomes for individuals and entire communities.​
Let's Chat Collaborative Partners
Chatty/Buddy Benches
Sparking Social Connections through Conversation
Whether called a Chatty or Buddy Bench the essence is the same -- an uplifting, recognizable, and accessible place to encourage people of all ages and stages to connect in settings ranging from downtown Main Streets to Boys & Girls Clubs, assisted living centers to schools and public parks. Their mission is to help promote impromptu social engagements facilitated by design and placement. Chatty/Buddy Benches facilitate conversations and connections that can uplift and change the outcome of someone’s day and their future interactions given an uplifted outlook.
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What to talk about?
For someone who is lonely or experiencing a low mood, the act of kindness of sitting on a bench with them can support them in a positive way and bring our communities together. Loneliness and isolation can often be alleviated by simply talking.
Here is a conversation menu that can provide inspiration to spark conversations:
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What brings you here? What do you like about this locale (library, downtown, park)?
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What’s your favorite food/movie/television show?
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What is your favorite sport to play or watch?
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What is your favorite pastime/hobby?
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What was the best concert you have seen?
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What’s your favorite place you have visited?
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What's your favorite season of the year?
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If you could go anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
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Do you prefer chocolate or fruit? Favorite restaurant?
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What’s something that made you laugh recently?
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Who would you invite to dinner if you could choose 4 people (in history or living)?
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What’s something courageous or kind you’ve witnessed or done recently?
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What are the benefits of a Chatty/Buddy Bench?
Researchers have found that sitting on Chatty/Buddy Benches are beneficial for reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation by encouraging brief exchanges that can brighten someone's day and create impactful connections that may be lasting. Chatty Benches help build socialization skills for those need and want to connect in a safe place.
We know that even a small moment of connection during someone’s day can have a real impact in elevated moods and changing outcomes. We hope these benches will encourage community members to say hello and have a quick conversation with someone who may be sitting on the bench. ​
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Helpful Resources
If you need some tips on increasing your social connections or how to address feelings of loneliness, here are a few helpful guides:
Helpful Tips for Social Connection
Recognizing & Addressing Loneliness
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If you need to connect with immediate support, first and foremost know that you are not alone.
Click here for services which are a phone call away: RESOURCES
I have personally witnessed the eradicating of this time of social disconnect each and every day since we delivered the first Flower Power arrangements in June of 2023. I have watched, witnessed, and felt the sparks flying, the smiles generated, the changed outcomes in those we have been working with throughout this first year (and those whom we met just yesterday). SOAR is a community movement rooted in love. It asks us to be our most authentic selves while encouraging others to step up, lean in, and do the same.
-Ginger Smith, SOAR Together Founder