Shoppers in Essex will get the chance to board the Hedingham and Chambers Chatty Bus for the first time on February 2.
The Chatty Bus will make a special journey to Colchester and Clacton to mark Time to Talk Day. Time to Talk Day is run by mental health charity, Mind, and aims to develop supportive communities which encourage conversations with family, friends or colleagues about mental health.
Beginning its journey at the Stanway Co-op Foodstore, located on Stanway Retail Park off Peartree Road, the Chatty Bus will be on site from 10am until noon before heading across to the Clacton Shopping Village on Stephenson Road in Clacton on Sea, where it will be positioned from 1pm to 3pm.
At each destination, a Mobile Human Library will be on board the Chatty Bus to help spark conversations with local shoppers. In contrast to a usual mobile library, the mobile human library is home to a collection of ‘human books’ each of whom can be checked out so members of the public can spend a few minutes in conversation with that person, learning from their experience.
Human Books on board the Chatty Bus will include the director of the Essex Book Festival, Ros Green, to talk about storytelling; Nikki Thurgood from Black Jacket Group to talk about food and drink; and award-winning author Ray Star to share reflections on parenthood.
Davina Langley, from Hedingham & Chambers, commented: “The Chatty Bus first launched in Norfolk in 2020 when volunteers travelled onboard our buses, engaging passengers in conversation, to help reduce loneliness and social isolation. This is the first time we have been able to bring it to Essex and we are delighted to be partnering with Mid and North East Essex Mind to help mark Time to Talk Day. Helping us all to talk more openly about mental health is a key part in improving our sense of wellbeing.
“Beginning conversations with those around us is the start of that and the bus is a great way to connect communities and help people meet new people. The Chatty Bus goes that one step further acting as a platform to bring people together, encouraging them to speak up with those around them and battle back against feelings of isolation and loneliness.”
Jo Wright, a community fundraiser for Mid and North East Essex Mind, added: “Time to Talk Day is such an important way to raise awareness of the work of Mid and North East Essex Mind. At the heart of what we do, we aim to ensure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.
“Finding help starts with speaking out, so Time to Talk Day encourages us all to talk more about our feelings and our mental health. Whether you’re stressed, depressed or in crisis, we’re here to listen, give you support and offer advice.”
