The ‘Happy to Chat’ Café initiative has been extended with local businesses and organisations encouraged to get involved. Wexford Public Libraries are also getting involved, with Happy to Chat cards to be placed on tables in your local library.
In any of the Happy to Chat locations, people are asked to consider sitting at the chatting table alone or with a friend. This shows that you are open to others joining you. Within participating hotels, restaurants, and cafes, the premises allocates one of their tables as a ‘Happy to Chat’ table. These tables are identified by a small table sign in the distinctive Healthy Ireland green colour.
Happy to Chat benches during pandemic
Wexford County Council began the Wexford ‘Happy to Chat’ initiative during the pandemic with the development of custom ‘Happy to Chat’ benches. These aimed to increase social engagement and reduce loneliness and isolation.
If businesses or community cafes across County Wexford would like to get involved, contact the Healthy County Coordinator, Annette Dupuy – via Healthy Wexford social media, by email annette.dupuy@wexfordcoco.ie or by calling 053 919 6000.
Participating locations will be provided with table tent cards, a window sticker and a short guidance note for rolling out the initiative.
Happy to Chat Photo
Pictured (l-r): Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. John Hegarty; Cllr. Maura Bell; Annette Dupuy, Healthy County Coordinator; Cllr. Ger Carthy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council; Hazel Percival, Senior Executive Librarian. (Photo Credit: Rocket Science Media)