Balwyn Evergreen launches Chatty Café to make room for connection this Loneliness Awareness Week
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Date: July 2026
Balwyn Evergreen Centre, a community centre dedicated to ensuring that older individuals stay active, healthy and socially connected, will launch a weekly Chatty Café during Loneliness Awareness Week (August 3-9), creating a warm, simple and intentional space for older people to connect over morning tea.
Running every Wednesday from 10.30am to 11.30am, the new Chatty Café will be held during one of Balwyn Evergreen Centre’s busiest and most welcoming times of the week, when Supported Lifestyle Program clients share morning tea with exercise clients who have just finished strength and balance and falls prevention classes.
The launch will take place during Loneliness Awareness Week, 3 to 9 August, which this year carries the theme ‘Make Room for Connection’. For Balwyn Evergreen Centre, that message is especially relevant for older people living with mild dementia or cognitive decline, who can sometimes feel as though social spaces are no longer built with them in mind.
The Chatty Café will offer a relaxed ‘Have a Chat’ table where people can sit, talk, listen and feel part of the centre’s everyday life. It also provides a gentle way for potential Supported Lifestyle Program clients and their families to be introduced to Balwyn Evergreen in a friendly, non-clinical environment.
Balwyn Evergreen Centre, CEO, Tina Hogarth-Clarke, said the idea was deeply aligned with the Balwyn Evergreen Centre’s purpose.
“Some of the most important moments at Balwyn Evergreen Centre happen over a cup of tea, when people feel seen, included and comfortable enough to start a conversation,” Tina said.
“Loneliness can be particularly difficult for people living with cognitive decline or mild dementia because social settings can start to feel uncertain or overwhelming. Our Chatty Café is about making room for people exactly as they are, in a place where they can feel welcome, valued and part of the community.”
Founded in Australia by Glenys Reid, Chatty Café Scheme Australia encourages cafés, community centres, libraries and other venues to create regular opportunities for people to connect through conversation.
According to Glenys, Balwyn Evergreen Centre was a natural fit for the scheme because connection is already part of the centre’s daily life.
“Chatty Café works because it removes the awkwardness of starting a conversation. A table, a smile and a clear invitation can be enough to help someone take that first brave step,” Glenys said.
“Balwyn Evergreen Centre understands that social connection supports belonging, health, confidence and wellbeing. By adding Chatty Café to their program of activities, Balwyn Evergreen Centre is creating a beautiful bridge between people, programs and friendships.”
Balwyn Evergreen Centre has supported older people in Boroondara since 1958, offering social activities, health and wellbeing programs, exercise classes, outings and dementia-friendly day programs that help older people stay active, healthy and socially connected.
Tina said the weekly Chatty Café would build on what Balwyn Evergreen Centre already does well, while opening the door to more people in the local community.
“We do not want connection to feel formal or forced. We want it to feel natural, generous and easy to step into,” Tina said.
“For someone considering the Supported Lifestyle Program, or for a family member who wants to see whether the centre feels right, Chatty Café offers a warm first impression. It shows people that Balwyn Evergreen Centre is a place where conversation, care and community sit side by side.”
The Balwyn Evergreen Chatty Café will launch during Loneliness Awareness Week and continue weekly on Wednesdays from 10.30am to 11.30am at 45 Talbot Avenue, Balwyn.
To find out more about our programs and services, please get in touch.
