A campaign to tackle loneliness
Empty Chairs
A community-led campaign inviting people to sit together at pub tables across the UK and beyond - no one has to sit alone.
Find a table near you
Never been before?
What to expect
No booking, no cost, and no need to explain why you came. Turn up, look for the host in orange, and stay as long as you like.
What happens on the nightVolunteer
Host a table
An hour, a table, and empty chairs. You pick the venue and the time, and you don't need any experience.
Apply to hostWhat is Empty Chairs?
Empty Chairs is a simple idea: book a table in a pub or cafe and leave a few chairs empty - inviting anyone who wants company to join. There's no pressure, no agenda, and no expectation to stay longer than you want.
Loneliness affects people of all ages. Empty Chairs exists to create low-pressure spaces where real human connection can happen - even if it's just sitting together for a drink.
- Events recorded
- 2,215+
- Locations represented
- 548
- Venues used
- 775
Events recorded
Locations represented
Venues used
What to expect on the night
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Turn up any time from the listed start time.
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Look for the host wearing something orange - usually a hoodie, T-shirt or jacket.
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The host waits at least an hour from the start time before leaving.
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Stay for as long or as little as you like.
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No sign-up, and no expectation that you buy anything.
Who Empty Chairs is open to
Everyone
If you need support right now
Empty Chairs is about connection, not crisis support. Our hosts are volunteers, not counsellors or mental health professionals.
If you need to talk to someone now, Samaritans are open 24 hours a day on 116 123. The call is free, and you don't have to be in crisis to ring them.
Other ways to help
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Make a donation to help keep a chair free. Empty Chairs is free to join and run by volunteers.
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Offer your pub or cafe as a place where someone could host a table.
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Partner with us as an organisation.
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Share Empty Chairs with someone who might need it, or follow along at @emptychairsuk.
No one has to sit alone
Come along and fill a chair, or leave one empty for somebody else.