Chalk Farm artist calls for more ‘happy to talk’ benches

Oliver Chan, who lives in Chalk Farm, approached the parks managers of the Camden Council to obtain help in July 2022, since many pubs and meeting places were threatened after two years of Covid closures.

There are now ‘happy to talk’ banks in Belsize Village, in Chalcot Square, Primrose Hill, near Talacre Recreation Ground in Kentish Town and Camden Square.

But Mr. Chan expects them to continue more.

He said: “My main concern and why I started this is because the blockade happened that I had a great fear that places will be closed, such as special pubs, galleries, shops and restaurants, and that can create more loneliness.”

Oliver Chan celebrated a small launch party for the ‘Happy To Talk’ bank in Chalcot Square (Image: Caroline Chan)

Banks have notices or signs that invite people to talk to each other. One in Chalcot Square and Belsize Village has a poster that says “greet if it is happening or sitting.”

But Mr. Chan admits that or has to break the ice. He added: “When I’m leaving, I have to leave and greet me, they don’t use it. I don’t think people know it’s a bank who speaks.

“I feel that there is not enough awareness of loneliness, you need to do more work.”

Catherine Kelly, a member of the artisanal group, Belsize creates in a “happy to talk ‘bank, the group decorated in Chalcot Square (Image: Caroline Chan)

His mother Caroline Chan, who runs the artisanal group that Belsize creates, said: “The advice is losing a great opportunity. The bank has to seem to talk. Only a bank that is in ETS is no.

“They should have a semicircular bank, something with great visibility for people to know that you can go chat.

Belsize creates colorful decorations for the group for ‘happy to talk’ banks (Image: Caroline Chan)

“I have seen examples of these and are really incredible, they resemble some people because going to sit and talk, but if you have just had space for two people, it is a bit uncomfortable.

“If people say it costs a lot of money, I don’t care, because we can raise funds for these things. I think we can all work together in collaboration.”

Oliver Chan with Clare James in one of his banks ‘happy for speaking’ (Image: Oliver Chan)

A spokesman for Camden’s council said: “Connecting with others in the community is an important way to address loneliness and increase well -being.

“This initiative encourages people to socialize in our open spaces and we hope with community slimps to the organization’s events around these banking locations where more people are encouraged to join and connect.”

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