Empty Chairs, a campaign tackling social isolation across the world is set to have another meet up this weekend.
From 7pm on Saturday 14th March at the Old Grindstone in Crookes, there will be empty chairs at a booked table, inviting people to sit together at pub tables across the UK so no one has to sit alone.
Joe Robbins, 29, arranged this weekend’s event after previously attending another event a few weeks ago.
He said: “The atmosphere was really friendly because everyone was in the same boat. Nobody knew each other and everyone was looking for similar things, for someone else to talk to.
“It was really nice and revitalizing.”
The campaign arose after founder Dean Perryman lost his best friend Rob to suicide in late 2025.
In December 2025, Dean decided to hold an Empty Chairs event every day, welcoming conversations and creating connections in a low pressure environment.
James Hutt, Host Coordinator for Empty Chairs, only joined the campaign in January 2026, but said:“Empty Chairs isn’t a therapy replacement, Empty Chairs is about connection and giving people that chance to connect.
“I know that social isolation is a big problem, but the opportunity to know that we are moving the needle, even just a little bit, feels really really moving.”
Anyone is welcome to go to the events, with people from all walks of life attending and hosting.
Mr Robbins decided to attend an event following a long stint in hospital, isolating him from the real world.
He said: “Initially it’s very lonely and it’s hard to get back into things.
“I found it a lot harder to put myself out there. But once I did it, it just grew exponentially. I’m feeling a lot more positive, a lot more helpful and I’m happy.”
Hosts of the event wear orange hoodies to ensure that they stand out for anyone who goes along to the no pressure, no expectations environment.
Mr Hutt said: “We believe super strongly and will keep working super hard to make sure that empty chairs is a place that anyone can turn up to. And that anyone who needs that connection is welcome.
“I feel really really blessed to be part of something like this, and the interest that people take and they want to write about it and talk about it.”