Comedian chats to unsuspecting strangers to shine light on loneliness

Comic Andy Parsons spends a day striking up conversations with strangers to support the Campaign to End Loneliness charity and get everyone talking.

People everywhere are being urged to unglue themselves from their mobile phones and simply talk to each other face to face to combat a growing loneliness problem.

Andy Parsons who appears on ‘Live at the Apollo’ has fronted secretly filmed footage for the charity, which captures his efforts to chat with strangers on a sofa in a shopping centre.

The film shows people’s surprised reactions when Mr Parsons coaxes them of their smartphones to have a chat.

Andy Parsons said: “I was apprehensive about just sitting down in the middle of a shopping centre and initiating conversations with total strangers. “I wasn’t sure whether many people would talk to me at all, let alone whether we would get any footage we could turn into a film.

“As it was, everybody, without exception, was pleasant and the four hours I spent there passed incredibly quickly."

Despite some early awkward moments, the video shows laughs can be had by talking to strangers.

Research shows talking with strangers, can make people feel more connected in communities and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation amongst the population.

Polling by the Campaign to End Loneliness found that nine in 10 UK adults believe that these small moments of connection can help to tackle loneliness. Loneliness affects nine million people in the UK.

One elderly man told Mr Parsons: “Nobody talks to me because I’m old”.

The TV comic’s attempts to strike up a conversation proved to focus on the mundane as he asked one workman: “Are you on your lunchbreak?" and another person "Is it a good sandwich?”

While Andy Parson’s efforts weren’t always welcome, one man upon hearing that nine million people in the UK are lonely, spoke at length to the comic and later told him: “I feel like we’re friends now.

“I think I might just go for a little walkaround at some point today and actually and say hello to someone.”

As Andy Parsons told one shopper "chat’s free" and said to another man: You may see some people on my right-hand side who are now having a chat. They weren’t having a chat earlier.”

’I shall definitely’ be popping into more shopping centres for a chat

The comedian said: “Just a few words, asking someone how they are, can positively change how a person feels about their day and I would recommend the experience to everyone.

“If we all strive to have more conversations with the people around us, then we can spread a little happiness and help reduce loneliness in Britain.

"As I go around the country on tour, I shall definitely be popping into more shopping centres and looking forward to sitting down on a bench for a chat.”

Minister for Loneliness, Mims Davies MP said: “Loneliness is one of the biggest public health challenges in this country, and we know that making new connections is a great way to prevent or overcome feelings of loneliness.

"I hope this new campaign will help bring people together and show how just a short conversation can help brighten someone’s mood and make them feel less alone.”

Laura Alcock-Ferguson, executive director at the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “In today’s fast-paced world it’s all too easy to shut ourselves off and forget how to connect with people around us.

“Every one of us can make a positive difference in our communities, just by talking to each other more.”

As well as the hashtag #LetsTalkMore, the Campaign to End Loneliness has come up with 10 top tips to get people talking.

Top tips to get talking

1. Start small – Small gestures such as smiling or just saying ‘Good morning’ to people you pass in the street can make a big difference.

2. Look approachable – Non-verbal communication makes up a minimum of 60 per cent of people’s communication, so smile and uncross your arms. Make yourself approachable by putting your phone down and taking off your headphones.

3. Challenge yourself – Set yourself goals for talking to new people every week, for example, at your bus stop or train station, learn the name of the shop assistant at your local newsagent or have a conversation with a neighbour.

4. Ask open questions – ‘How are you?’ is a good start but it’s almost a closed question as most people will answer ‘fine, thanks’. Instead, try asking for advice or an opinion or sharing a compliment.

5. Get out there – Going to evening classes, attending a workshop, learning a new sport or volunteering can open up opportunities to meet new people.