Grangemouth Empty Chairs volunteer is helping tackle loneliness in Falkirk

Since its launch last year, the Empty Chairs movement has held more than 2000 events in over 25 countries around the world. In Falkirk, the first was hosted in August by 49-year-old volunteer Alastair Gregory at Behind the Wall on Melville Street.

Alastair, from Grangemouth, explained: “I was just sort of doom-scrolling one night and it popped up on my feed. I looked over it and forgot about it, but then it came up again and I thought I could do something like that, while pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

“I also thought back to my late teens and early 20s, my early university days and then moving house. I didn’t make friends particularly easily as I was quite shy. If something like this was available, even just once a week to go out and speak to others, it would help keep you going.”

In late 2025, Dean Perryman lost his best mate Rob to suicide. Coming to terms with his grief, Dean wanted to create something positive in his friend’s memory, and Empty Chairs was born.

Empty Chairs is a simple concept: a volunteer in bright orange books a table at a pub, leaves a few chairs empty, and invites anyone who needs or wants to sit down and chat, free from stress or pressure, to join them.

Hosts are not trained professionals and Empty Chairs is not a replacement for therapy. It’s a voice, a conversation and an ear to listen, somewhere calm for people who want to pass a few hours in company.

Alistair said: "I was diagnosed with depression in 2018, and I would never want anyone to go through what I went through. If I can, I’ll help, and if not, I’ll point people in the direction of somewhere like the Samaritans where they can get help.

“I’m always up for a listen. I will always be there if someone wants a 10-minute conversation, whatever it is. I think a lot of people just want assurance, or re-assurance, and to be pointed in the right direction.”

Although it’s been a gradual start, the Falkirk events have welcomed people from across the region. Alastair said: “People have travelled from Stirling and Livingston. They can sit in silence, we can play games, or they can just have a beer, a coffee, and head off, without it being awkward.”

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that almost a quarter of adults in Great Britain (23 per cent) reported feeling lonely often, always or some of the time. The World Health Organisation has also declared loneliness as a global public health concern and launched a Commission on Social Connection.

Alastair has always been keen to help others. He said: “I volunteer in the Scouts and try my best to help. You want to help because life isn’t always particularly fair for a lot of folk.

“I’m in a position to help others. I’m the first aider at work and I deliver CPR training as well. All these kinds of things I do because it’s a good thing.”

To find out more visit the Empty Chairs Instagram page or website link.