A new Chatty Café facilitated by Lutheran Care will begin running next week in the Southern Barossa, providing further social opportunities for locals and giving people a safe space to make connections in the community.

Starting in Lyndoch on Wednesday, August 7, the new Chatty Café is open to everyone of all ages looking to connect over a weekly coffee, conversation and a free activity.

The decision to start a new group in this part of the Barossa has been led by members of Lutheran Care’s Community Connections team to address loneliness and social isolation in the Southern Barossa region.

Lutheran Care has a similar group that has been running in Nuriootpa for nearly two years, Connect and Chat, which has had great success in reducing loneliness for those who attend.

Team Leader Family and Community Services Brittany Perry says she is excited to be involved in the new Chatty Café and hopes it will help connect local people looking to build connections and increase social interactions by getting people talking.

“Strong social connections and a sense of belonging can improve wellbeing and provide better health outcomes,” Brittany says.

“Around one in 10 Australians experience social isolation and this has a negative effect on their mental and physical health, and their ability to participate in the community.

“We have identified a need for this type of support in the Southern Barossa and the purpose of facilitating a Chatty Café here is to provide an opportunity for people to build connections and provide further social opportunities, so that more people can thrive and feel a sense of belonging.”

For the first event on August 7, Lutheran Care’s Barossa team is hosting a welcome barbecue at the Lyndoch Lutheran Church Hall, where locals are welcome to drop by and check out the space, as well as enjoy some food and a cup of coffee.

Moving forward, the Chatty Café will run on Wednesdays in the school terms, from 9:15am to 11:15am, at the Lyndoch Lutheran Church Hall (7 Margaret Street).

If you would like more information about the group, please contact the Barossa Office on communityconnections@lutherancare.org.au or 8562 2688.

For more information about Lutheran Care’s Community Connections program click here and to find out more about Chatty Café Australia visit the website.