🤘 Forget sold-out arenas, screaming guitar solos and festival crowds for just a moment. Sometimes the most powerful thing in the world isn’t a wall of Marshall amplifiers or 80,000 people singing together. Sometimes, it’s a bloke sitting in a pub with a few empty chairs, hoping somebody will come over for a chat.
And believe us, this is one story that deserves to be heard.
Here at The Riff Report Blog, we spend our days celebrating the bands, musicians, festivals and venues that make the rock and metal community so bloody brilliant.
But there’s something that matters even more than the music.
People. Friendship. Community. And making sure nobody feels forgotten.
That’s why we’re turning our attention to EMPTY CHAIRS UK, a remarkable grassroots movement tackling loneliness and social isolation through one beautifully simple idea.
Leave a chair empty.
Welcome a stranger.
Start a conversation.
No judgement. No pressure. No expensive membership fees.
Just ordinary people looking out for one another.
And the story behind this growing organisation is enough to bring a tear to even the toughest metalhead’s eye.
💔 A Friendship, A Tragedy And The Beginning Of Something Extraordinary
Behind Empty Chairs UK is founder Dean Perryman, a man who turned personal heartbreak into a mission to help others.
In November 2025, Dean experienced the devastating loss of his best friend, Robert Joseph Clancy, affectionately known as Rob, who died by suicide at the age of just 29.
Losing somebody close is never easy, but losing a best friend in such tragic circumstances can leave an unimaginable hole in your life.
For Dean, that loss became the driving force behind an idea that would eventually bring people together across communities.
He began thinking about loneliness, isolation and the people who might be sitting at home without anybody to talk to.
People who might desperately want some company but don’t know where to find it.
People who might feel uncomfortable admitting they’re lonely.
And people who simply need somebody to sit beside them and say hello.
Rather than waiting for somebody else to do something, Dean decided to act.
He went to a pub.
Found himself a table.
And deliberately left some chairs empty.
The invitation was simple: anybody who wanted company was welcome to join him.
At first, nobody came.
But Dean didn’t give up.
He continued showing up, making himself available to anyone who needed a friendly conversation.
Eventually, somebody sat down.
And with that simple act, the idea behind Empty Chairs began taking shape.
One person had made room for another.
What began as a tribute to Rob would grow into something much bigger.
🪑 EMPTY CHAIRS UK: What’s It All About, Then?
Now, you might be wondering how something as simple as leaving a chair empty could become a community movement.
Well, that’s exactly what makes the whole idea so brilliant.
Empty Chairs UK is a volunteer-led, non-profit organisation that encourages people to come together in everyday public spaces.
We’re talking about pubs, cafés and other suitable venues where people can relax, have a conversation and enjoy a bit of company.
The organisation coordinates informal gatherings hosted by volunteers.
These aren’t therapy sessions.
They’re not formal support groups.
And they’re certainly not meetings where everybody has to stand up and explain their personal problems.
They’re simply opportunities to connect with other human beings.
Imagine walking into your local pub and seeing somebody wearing an orange hoodie sitting at a table with several empty chairs.
You walk over.
You ask whether you can join them.
And suddenly, instead of spending another evening on your own, you’re having a conversation.
You might end up talking about football, television, music, work or whatever else comes to mind.
You could even discover that the person sitting opposite you is a massive Iron Maiden fan.
Next thing you know, you’re arguing about whether Powerslave or The Number Of The Beast is the better album.
Now THAT is our kind of conversation! 🤘
But joking aside, the idea is incredibly important.
Because for somebody who’s been struggling with loneliness, that simple invitation could make a real difference.
🧡 Who Does Empty Chairs Help?
Here’s the thing about loneliness.
It doesn’t discriminate.
It doesn’t care whether you’re 18 or 80.
It doesn’t care whether you’ve got a well-paid job, a nice house or thousands of followers on social media.
And it certainly doesn’t care whether you’re standing in the middle of a packed music festival.
Loneliness can affect anybody.
Empty Chairs welcomes people from all walks of life, including those who might be experiencing:
- Social isolation: People who rarely have opportunities to meet others.
- Bereavement: Those adjusting to life after losing somebody close.
- Relationship breakdowns: People rebuilding their social lives after separation or divorce.
- Moving to a new area: Anyone struggling to make friends in an unfamiliar town or city.
- Retirement: People missing the everyday conversations and friendships they enjoyed at work.
- Low confidence: Those who find approaching strangers or joining social activities difficult.
- Everyday loneliness: People who simply fancy a chat and a bit of company.
And here’s something we particularly love.
You don’t actually have to be lonely to attend.
You might be perfectly happy with your life but want to meet new people.
You might enjoy chatting with strangers.
Or perhaps you simply want to help create a welcoming atmosphere for somebody else.
Everyone has something to contribute.
Sometimes you’re the person who needs company.
Other times, you’re the person who can offer it.
And that’s what community is all about.
🍻 How Does An Empty Chairs Gathering Actually Work?
One of the organisation’s greatest strengths is how uncomplicated the whole process is.
You don’t need to fill in endless paperwork, pay for a membership or book an appointment.
A typical gathering works like this.
First, a volunteer host chooses a venue.
This could be a local pub, café or another suitable public space.
The host arranges a time and ensures the gathering is listed so people know where to find it.
Next, the volunteer turns up wearing orange.
Orange clothing helps visitors identify the host without having to awkwardly approach several different tables.
Then, the host leaves some chairs empty.
Anyone who wants company can join them.
There’s no requirement to buy alcohol, order food or spend money simply to participate.
Finally, everybody is free to enjoy a conversation.
You can chat, listen or simply enjoy being around other people.
You don’t have to share personal information or explain why you’ve attended.
And if you only want to stay for a short while, that’s absolutely fine.
The organisation expects hosts to remain at their advertised location for at least an hour, even if nobody arrives.
That’s an important commitment.
Because imagine somebody spending days gathering the courage to attend, only to discover the host has already gone home.
The Empty Chairs approach is built around reliability, kindness and making people feel welcome.
🧡 Why The Orange Hoodies?
If you’ve spotted Empty Chairs UK on Instagram, you might have noticed volunteers wearing orange.
And no, it’s not because they’re auditioning to become traffic cones!
The orange clothing serves a genuinely useful purpose.
It makes hosts easier to recognise.
For somebody feeling nervous about attending a gathering, knowing exactly who to approach can remove some of the uncertainty.
Instead of walking into a busy pub wondering where to go, visitors can look for the person in orange.
It’s a small detail, but one that makes the experience more accessible.
And as the movement continues to grow, that distinctive colour helps build recognition.
🌍 From One Man In A Pub To A Growing Community Movement
What makes Empty Chairs particularly inspiring is how far the idea has travelled from its humble beginnings.
Dean didn’t start with a massive corporate sponsor or an enormous marketing budget.
He started by showing up.
And other people began following his example.
Volunteer hosts started organising their own gatherings, bringing the concept to additional towns, cities and communities.
According to figures published by Empty Chairs, its event records have included thousands of gatherings across hundreds of locations and venues.
Those figures demonstrate the scale of the organisation’s growth, although event listings should not be confused with verified attendance numbers.
The important achievement isn’t simply how many events have been advertised.
It’s that more people are being offered opportunities to meet others in welcoming spaces.
Every additional volunteer means another potential gathering.
Every participating venue creates another place where somebody can go for company.
And every new conversation represents a chance to make somebody feel included.
Not bad for an idea that began with a few empty chairs, eh?
🙌 The Volunteers: Everyday Heroes Without Capes
Let’s give some proper recognition to the people helping make Empty Chairs possible.
The volunteers.
These aren’t necessarily trained counsellors, psychologists or professional support workers.
They’re ordinary people who believe that nobody should have to feel completely alone.
They give up their own time to arrange gatherings, welcome visitors and create a friendly environment.
And that commitment matters.
A volunteer might spend an hour sitting at a table without anybody joining them.
But they still turn up.
Because the next time, somebody might walk through the door.
Somebody who has been struggling to leave the house.
Somebody who has recently lost a partner.
Or somebody who simply hasn’t had a proper conversation for days.
The volunteer doesn’t need to have all the answers.
They don’t need to solve anybody’s problems.
Sometimes being present and willing to listen is enough to make an evening feel different.
To every Empty Chairs volunteer giving up their time to help somebody else feel welcome, The Riff Report salutes you. 🤘🧡
💷 Is Empty Chairs UK A Registered Charity?
There’s an important distinction worth explaining.
Although Empty Chairs is frequently described as a charity because of its community-focused work, Empty Chairs Ltd operates as a non-profit company limited by guarantee rather than a registered charity.
Its company number is 17342703.
That doesn’t diminish the value of its activities, but it does mean the organisation has a different legal structure from a registered charity.
The organisation uses its non-profit structure to coordinate volunteers, manage administration and support the development of the movement.
It also accepts donations to help fund its activities.
Because it isn’t currently a registered charity, donations aren’t eligible for Gift Aid.
For supporters who want to understand how the organisation operates, information is available through its official website.
💰 Where Does The Money Go?
Here’s something people sometimes forget about volunteer-led organisations.
Even when volunteers give their time for free, keeping everything running still costs money.
Empty Chairs needs resources to support hosts, coordinate events and maintain the systems that allow people to find gatherings.
Donations can help with things such as volunteer resources, administration, safeguarding arrangements, insurance and expanding the organisation into new communities.
The movement also welcomes support from businesses and organisations interested in helping it grow.
And while financial donations are valuable, money isn’t the only way to contribute.
Offering a suitable venue, volunteering your time or simply sharing information about local gatherings can also help.
You can find further information at Empty Chairs UK’s official support page.
🏴 Cymru, This Is Something We Can Get Behind!
Now, let’s bring this a little closer to home.
Here in Wales, we’re proud of our community spirit.
From the pubs of Cardiff and Newport to the valleys of South Wales, the streets of Swansea and the communities of North Wales, we’ve got a long tradition of people coming together.
Whether it’s rugby, live music, village events or simply putting the world to rights over a pint, we know how important human connection can be.
But loneliness is a problem here too.
Somebody living in a busy city can feel just as isolated as somebody living in a remote rural village.
And although Wales has plenty of wonderful community organisations, there’s always room for more opportunities to bring people together.
That’s why we’d love to see Empty Chairs continue developing its presence across Cymru.
Imagine regular gatherings in local pubs and cafés where people can meet without feeling pressured to spend money.
Imagine somebody who’s recently moved to the Valleys finding a group of friendly faces.
Or an older person who’s lost their partner discovering somewhere welcoming to spend an afternoon.
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
A table.
A few chairs.
Somebody willing to say hello.
And perhaps a decent cup of tea.
Because let’s face it, we Welsh can usually find something to talk about!
🎸 Why The Rock And Metal Community Should Be Paying Attention
You might be wondering what all this has to do with a rock and metal publication.
Well, quite a lot actually.
Music brings people together in ways few other things can.
Think about the atmosphere at Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival or your favourite local gig.
Thousands of people from different backgrounds come together because they share a passion for music.
Complete strangers become friends.
People look after each other in the crowd.
And friendships are often formed over something as simple as recognising the band on somebody’s T-shirt.
But not everybody has a group of friends to attend gigs with.
Some people go to concerts alone because nobody they know shares their musical tastes.
Others might be dealing with bereavement, anxiety or social isolation.
And sometimes the hardest part of attending an event isn’t getting a ticket.
It’s finding the confidence to walk through the door.
That’s where the wider message behind Empty Chairs becomes so relevant.
Nobody should feel excluded from the music community because they’ve got nobody to go with.
We’d love to see more music venues, rock pubs and local gig communities encouraging welcoming social gatherings.
Imagine a table where solo giggoers could meet before a show.
Or a local rock pub hosting an informal get-together for music fans who want to make new friends.
These aren’t official Empty Chairs projects we’re announcing, but they’re examples of how its philosophy could inspire the wider music scene.
And wouldn’t that be something worth celebrating?
📱 How You Can Support Empty Chairs UK
Fancy getting involved?
There are several ways to help.
Become a volunteer host. If you’re comfortable meeting new people and can commit to attending a gathering, consider applying through the organisation’s website.
Attend a gathering. You don’t have to be experiencing loneliness. Simply joining a table can help make the atmosphere more welcoming.
Get your local pub involved. If you know a venue that could provide a suitable space, encourage its management to explore the initiative.
Spread the word. Follow Empty Chairs on social media and share its work with friends, family and community groups.
Make a donation. Contributions can help the organisation maintain and expand its activities.
And remember, you don’t have to change somebody’s entire life to make a positive difference.
Sometimes making their afternoon a little brighter is a wonderful place to start.
🌐 Empty Chairs UK: Official Website And Social Media
For more information about the organisation, upcoming gatherings, volunteering and ways to support its work, visit:
Official website: www.emptychairs.org.uk
Instagram: @emptychairsuk
Support and donations: Support Empty Chairs UK
Volunteer information: Find out how to become a host
You can also follow the organisation’s Instagram Reels to hear more about its founder and the people helping spread the message.
❤️ Mental Health Matters: Nobody Has To Struggle In Silence
Empty Chairs is about helping people connect, but it’s important to remember that its volunteer gatherings aren’t a substitute for professional mental health support.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, experiencing suicidal thoughts or simply need somebody to talk to, support is available.
Samaritans provides free emotional support across the UK and Ireland, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 116 123 free of charge.
You don’t have to be suicidal to contact them.
Visit www.samaritans.org for further information.
If somebody is in immediate danger, call 999.
And if you’re worried about somebody you know, don’t underestimate the importance of checking in.
A message, a phone call or an invitation to meet up can be a meaningful way of showing somebody that they’re not forgotten.
🤘🧡 THE RIFF REPORT’S FINAL WORD: SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE STARTS WITH THE SMALLEST GESTURE
Here at The Riff Report Blog, we’re used to celebrating the extraordinary.
The legendary bands.
The unforgettable concerts.
The massive festivals.
The musicians who inspire millions of people around the world.
But every now and again, somebody comes along and reminds us that extraordinary things don’t always need a stage.
Sometimes they happen quietly.
In the corner of a pub.
At a table with a few empty chairs.
Between two people who were complete strangers just moments earlier.
Dean Perryman began Empty Chairs following the heartbreaking loss of his best friend Rob.
And through that personal tragedy, he created an opportunity for people to come together, share conversations and build connections.
It’s a powerful reminder that even the simplest ideas can grow into something meaningful when people believe in them.
We can’t solve every problem with a friendly conversation.
We can’t pretend that loneliness, depression or grief disappear because somebody sits down for a chat.
But we can make an effort to ensure people feel welcome.
We can check in on friends.
We can reach out to people who might be struggling.
And we can make room for somebody who needs company.
Because nobody should have to feel invisible.
Nobody should feel embarrassed about wanting a friend.
And nobody should have to sit alone simply because they don’t know where to turn.
So here’s a message from all of us at The Riff Report.
To Dean, the volunteers and everybody helping Empty Chairs grow, keep doing what you’re doing.
And to our readers, whether you’re a die-hard metalhead, a classic rock fanatic, a punk rocker or somebody who just enjoys a good tune and a friendly pint, remember that community doesn’t end when the music stops.
Look after each other.
Make room for somebody new.
And never underestimate what a little kindness can achieve.
The world doesn’t need more empty hearts. It needs more open doors, friendly faces and chairs waiting to be filled.
Keep the riffs loud, keep the friendships strong and keep looking out for one another!
Much love from The Riff Report. Cymru am byth! 🧡🤘🔥
