‘Join The Table’ launches in Suffolk to help tackle loneliness with shared meals
The pilot has been held in Bury St Edmunds, with more expected soon.
A new social initiative aimed at tackling loneliness is being piloted in Bury St Edmunds, offering people across Suffolk the chance to meet others over meals, coffee and conversation.
Join The Table, created by founder Paul Jagard, offers people a simple way to meet others in their area by booking onto group meals, coffee outings and events. Pilot events are now planned for Cambridge in January.
Mr Jagard said the idea was born from his own experience of feeling isolated after a divorce, combined with the difficulty of meeting new people after the pandemic.
“I didn’t know anybody, and it wasn’t long after Covid, people weren’t really going out that much anyway,” he said. “I just found it really difficult to meet new people… I didn’t want to go dating. I just wanted to meet people and connect for a meal or a coffee.”
He said that despite trying, he found that the habits of social life had changed.
“Things seemed to have changed after Covid and people just weren’t going out a lot,” he added. “I struggled because I didn’t want to go on dating sites… I just wanted to pop out like we used to.”
Loneliness across generations
Mr Jagard said loneliness affects every generation: older people, adults, and young people.
“I think they all experience it in different ways,” he said. “With younger people, they’re all on their phones so much, and that creates isolation in a different way.”
He said older adults often lose confidence to go out, while young people may be surrounded by friends but still disconnected.
“Put the phone down and just talk”
Mr Jagard believes part of the solution lies in encouraging people to reconnect face-to-face — starting with small habits.
“I’d love to see people go into restaurants and put their phones face down and just talk,” he said.
“Me and our group used to meet once a month and we’d put our phones in the middle of the table. The first one to pick theirs up had to buy the drinks.”
He said too many people are missing out on real interaction while sitting with others.
“You see young people and old people in the same group not actually talking, just flicking through their phones,” he added. “Whilst you’re all there together, maybe appreciate that and try and chat to each other.”
More Suffolk events planned
The initiative hopes to grow across the county in 2025, offering more opportunities for people to reconnect face-to-face.
“I just wanted to pop out like we used to,” Mr Jagard said. “And I think a lot of people feel the same.”