It乌鸦传媒檚 not therapy. It乌鸦传媒檚 not a lecture. It乌鸦传媒檚 just a table, a drink, and the kind of conversation you didn乌鸦传媒檛 know you were missing.
A new initiative called Let乌鸦传媒檚 Talk Live is quietly making waves in Victoria, inviting strangers to sit down and talk 乌鸦传媒� no strings, no pressure 乌鸦传媒� at Spinnakers Brewpub every Tuesday afternoon.
From 12 to 2 p.m., anyone can walk in, grab a seat with one or two others, and start talking. Conversation prompts are provided, but the flow is organic.
The idea is simple: eye contact, shared stories, and maybe a laugh over lunch.
For organizer Jennie Keeran, it乌鸦传媒檚 about more than small talk.
乌鸦传媒淭he idea has been in my mind for a long time,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚 noticed the City乌鸦传媒檚 report on safety and well-being, and it just clicked 乌鸦传媒� when a community is more connected, crime goes down. Some studies say up to 40 per cent.乌鸦传媒�
Keeran says the group isn乌鸦传媒檛 just for lonely people, though it certainly welcomes them. It乌鸦传媒檚 for anyone looking to engage, listen, and take part in something that feels increasingly rare: real-life connection.
乌鸦传媒淲e really want to reach out to young men and get them together with older men,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 an area that乌鸦传媒檚 really needed.乌鸦传媒�
What makes Let乌鸦传媒檚 Talk Live different is its flexibility. It's free, with no long-term commitment.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 like going to the theatre or a park bench,乌鸦传媒� Keeran said. 乌鸦传媒淭otally voluntary. But meaningful.乌鸦传媒�
She also sees potential beyond the walls of Spinnakers.
Keeran is collecting signatures on a petition, hoping the City will one day adopt the model. If that happens, she envisions restaurants citywide welcoming diners to connect with others over a meal 乌鸦传媒� and no one ever having to eat alone again.
Victoria councillor Matt Dell called loneliness 乌鸦传媒渁 growing social issue乌鸦传媒� and praised the initiative for encouraging real-world connection.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 wonderful to see any initiatives aimed at building community, making connections, and breaking down the social divides that seem to be growing online," Dell said. "I乌鸦传媒檇 like to come down and join this event this summer and help build connections between residents and local councillors."
Modern neuroscience backs up connection 'therapy'.
Eye contact and conversation can trigger oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine and serotonin 乌鸦传媒� all known to regulate mood and reduce stress. In some cases, regular social interaction can even help grow new heart muscle cells.
乌鸦传媒淚t helps you feel better,乌鸦传媒� Keeran said. 乌鸦传媒淚t heals wounds. It乌鸦传媒檚 good for the body, and for the city.乌鸦传媒�
Let乌鸦传媒檚 Talk Live runs Tuesdays through Aug. 26 at Spinnakers Brewpub in Victoria from 12 to 2 p.m. Those interested are asked to sign up .
