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Empty Chairs

Become a host

Host an Empty Chairs

An hour, a table, and a empty chair for whoever needs it. It's that simple.

Apply to host

A few short questions. One of the team will get back to you (keep an eye on your spam folder).

This is the role

  • Turn up

    Be at the table when you said you would, and stay for an hour - even if nobody has arrived yet.

  • Wear orange

    So somebody who is nervous about walking in can spot you from the door.

  • Be kind

    Say hello and let the conversation happen.The host's role is to create a welcoming and kind space.

You pick the venue. You pick the day and time. You host as often or as rarely as you like.

You'd be in good company

Events recorded
2,215+

Events recorded

Locations represented
548

Locations represented

Venues used
775

Venues used

Hosts are people who just wanted to do something to help their community. Meet a few of them on the team page, or see what's on this week on Find an Event.

What happens after you apply

  1. You fill in the form. A few short questions - where you'd like to host, and when suits you.

  2. Someone gets in touch. One of our host coordinators emails you - worth checking your spam folder if you haven't had a reply in three days.

  3. You choose a venue and a date. A pub, a cafe, anywhere people can walk in for free. For your first event we recommend booking a table for four.

  4. We put it on the map. Your event goes on the website and social media, and you turn up and host it.

The two things people ask first

"What if nobody comes?"

Sometimes nobody does, and that is not a failure. Someone may be outside working up the courage, or may see the table listed and come the following week. You created the space, that's what Empty Chairs exists to do.

"What if someone tells me something hard?"

Listen, be kind, and don't feel you need the right answer. You are not there to fix anything. If someone needs specialist help, you point them towards it - we show you how, and our safeguarding policy sets it out.

You do not need to be a counsellor, a therapist, a mental health professional, a public speaker, or especially outgoing. You don't need to have been lonely yourself. There isn't a type of person who makes a good host.

What we ask in return

  • Turn up when you say you will. Someone may have planned their day around it. Only list events you really expect to make.
  • Keep it public. We only ever share your first name, and we ask hosts not to swap private contact details - people reconnect at the next table.
  • Signpost, don't advise. You're a volunteer, not anyone's counsellor.

The full version is in the Host Agreement, which you'll be asked to accept when you apply.

Fancy giving it a go?

You're agreeing to be the person who's there when somebody decides to take an empty chair. That's all, and it's a lot.

Apply to host

Still deciding? Read what to expect or the questions other hosts asked.