Word getting out on Victoria’s Let’s Talk program, as locations grow

Talking to a stranger has never been easier.  The Let’s Talk program, which began as a summer pilot at Spinnakers Brewpub, is growing beyond its original location as more downtown Victoria businesses embrace the idea of encouraging strangers to share a table. After a trial run in July and August, Spinnakers has made the initiative a permanent fixture. Guests can now pick up a Let’s Talk card at the hostess stand and be seated with another person who has opted in, creating a low-pressure way to meet someone new. Spinnakers owner Paul Hadfield said the structure makes it easy to connect. “Times have changed and you can’t just walk up to someone and say, ‘Hey, do you want to be my friend?’ But this structure makes it natural and easy,” said Hadfield. Following Spinnakers’ lead, Murchie’s, Whistle Buoy Brewing Company, Green Cuisine, The Drake Eatery, and Pagliacci’s have all introduced the program, allowing people to find conversation partners over coffee, lunch, or a pint. For Jennie Keeran, founder of the Let’s Talk Health Society, the expansion marks just the beginning. She said the summer confirmed a need for connection in the community, pointing to studies linking [https://lets-talk.live/research/]social interaction to lower crime, reduced addiction, and improved health. “This project took off because of the community safety and well-being plan [https://www.vicnews.com/local-news/city-of-victoria-reallocating-103-million-for-community-safety-plan-8107423],” she said. “It confirmed the need that everybody has to connect with each other. It literally heals.” Keeran and acting CEO James Brian Gomes are already looking ahead. They are working with app developer Steve Davis, a former Apple employee, on a mobile platform that would allow people to check where conversations are happening in real time. The society also plans to seek grants to help fund its growth. “This is not just a project, it is a movement,” Gomes said. “We want to promote it through B.C., Canada, and internationally, putting Victoria as a role model.” Keeran said she is also in talks with the Greater Victoria Public Library about dedicating time and space for the program. For now, the growth into multiple downtown locations shows momentum is building. As Keeran put it, the goal is simple: “No one ever has to eat alone again – unless they want to.”