Welcoming connection to increase community wellbeing in Walkerville

NCHRF Chair Nino Di Sisto with Walkerville Community Committee members

NCHRF is providing funding for the expansion of the Chatty Cafe Walkerville project through the Foundation’s grant program supporting community capacity building.

NCHRF support will enable the program to be delivered at more sites, extending capacity for residents to connect with each other and participate in the program. 

The Chatty Cafe Walkerville provides a welcoming space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together for conversation and connection each month.

The Cafe is an initiative of the Walkerville Community Committee, a group of local residents and Town of Walkerville councillors who work together to provide low-cost events for the community, funded through grassroots fundraising at local events. 

Social connectedness is key to improved physical and mental health in the community. Research for a major NCHRF-supported project, Prescriptions for Connection: A social prescribing approach for healthy aging, shows that isolation and loneliness amongst older adults are major contributors to increasing demand on health professionals and are significant contributing factors to ill-health. 

Previously, the Chatty Café pilot program has been solely funded by the Committee and has proven very successful at encouraging interaction in a relaxed environment, directly supporting mental health, combatting loneliness, and building resilience across the community.  With NCHRF’s support, the Walkerville Community Committee can now expand on the pilot program delivered at St Andrew’s Church to additional venues with programs including optional activities and guest speakers.