Two pubs in Hampshire have launched a new initiative to tackle loneliness.
The Fish Inn in Ringwood and The Mayflower in Lymington have introduced Butcombe's Big Table Talk, a weekly gathering for those seeking company.
The Mayflower in Lymington and The Fish Inn, Ringwood are both participating in a Butcombe Group initiative
Jamie Queen, chief growth officer, Butcombe Group said: "Pubs are the original social network, somewhere at the heart of communities for people to come together and socialise. No one should feel alone, so here at Butcombe, we are launching Butcombe’s Big Table Talk where everyone is welcome, to encourage genuine connections and conversations which, hopefully, will make a big difference."
The initiative offers free tea or coffee to encourage people to socialise in a friendly setting.
Butcombe Group hopes the scheme will help combat the public health issue of loneliness, which affected 25.9 million people in the UK last year, according to The Campaign to End Loneliness.
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