I'm not sure who first said, "be the change you want to see in the world," but Dean Perryman is doing just that with his Empty Chairs project.
According to the website:
In late 2025, Dean lost his best mate Rob. Grief can be isolating - and it can also make you notice how many people are quietly carrying their own things alone.Empty Chairs exists to create low-pressure spaces where real human connection can happen. No big speeches. No awkward icebreakers. Just a seat at the table.
We all have felt grief at one point or another. But going through the loss of a loved one need not be a solo journey. There's no reason our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members can't help us through hard times.
Social connection makes everything easier.
Sara Haynes, in a CBS News interview about Empty Chairs, remarked that "the worst thing is feeling like you're dealing with something all alone."
In a comment responding to the CBS News segment, one commenter wrote: "If you put the phone down, magic happens."
So true.
The format for Empty Chairs events is quite simple: A host, wearing a conspicuous and easy-to-find orange T-shirt, sits at a pub table and welcomes attendees to join him for however long they like.
In less than a year, Perryman's project has gone global: there are Empty Chairs events happening in over 20 countries.
There are 260 upcoming events listed on the website, including one in Astoria, NY.
This is a movement.
Loneliness is a universal affliction; no matter where in the world you are, we all know the feeling and how devastating it can be.
Similarly, we all have the tools at our disposal to combat loneliness. I'm glad to see people are using them.
If you're interested in hosting an Empty Chairs event, click here.
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