SouthernWorldwide.com – A man named Dean Perryman has initiated a profound “Empty Chairs” campaign, inviting strangers to join him in pubs across the country. This initiative began in December of the previous year, stemming from a deeply personal tragedy.
Perryman conceived this idea following the devastating suicide of his best friend, Rob Clancy, who passed away at the age of 29, just one month prior to the campaign’s commencement. Driven by a desire to ensure no one else experiences the pain of feeling alone, even among strangers, Perryman started attending restaurants and pubs. He makes his presence noticeable by wearing a bright orange hoodie, signaling his openness to conversation.
Recently, Perryman marked a significant milestone by hosting the 1,000th “Empty Chairs” meet-up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. This particular event saw the participation of approximately 12 individuals, a number that filled him with pride regarding the campaign’s growth.
“It has been such an incredible experience. I am loving every second of it still,” Perryman, a resident of Stratford in East London, shared with the news agency SWNS. He expressed that the initiative originated from a place of deep sadness, and witnessing how this simple concept has positively impacted numerous lives has been immensely rewarding.
“I have been able to meet and connect with so many new people and learn about them,” he continued. “It gives people an opportunity to speak openly if they need it.”
Perryman, who is employed by a team-building game company called Chicken Rush, utilized social media to generate interest in the “Empty Chair” concept. The gatherings initially took place in London and Essex.
Following their initial success, Perryman began enlisting volunteers to organize similar events throughout the United Kingdom and eventually, across the globe. The campaign has since expanded its reach, with events being planned in various locations such as Manchester, Bedford, Cambridge, Skegness, Gloucester, Leeds, York, and Wrexham, among others.
Beyond the UK, “Empty Chairs” has also extended its presence to international locations, including Colombia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Perryman noted that a significant number of attendees often return for subsequent events, particularly in smaller, more rural communities. These regular attendees have been observed forming lasting friendships that extend beyond the organized meet-ups.
Perryman himself has participated in 61 “Empty Chairs” events. He highlighted that his most cherished aspect of these gatherings is observing men open up about their personal struggles, as he believes they often lack safe spaces for such emotional expression.
“Some people come because they really want someone to listen to what they have to say,” he explained. “Others come because they have the capacity to be there for someone else. Everyone shares their own story, but it stays at the table.”
He further elaborated that the groups have engaged in discussions about the challenges of living in large cities and the accompanying feelings of isolation. “Nothing is off the table — we’ve spoken about everything and anything,” Perryman stated. “To give people a place that they can go when they need to talk is incredible.”
Perryman revealed that he has approximately 200 more “Empty Chairs” events scheduled. He has no intentions of ceasing the organization of these gatherings, according to SWNS. He emphasized that there is no discernible pattern in terms of who attends these events, describing the attendees as typically a diverse group of individuals.
“Every Empty Chairs event you go to, you are going to meet people of different walks of life,” he observed. “It is so powerful to show that, no matter who you are, there is a place for you. We have everyone — men, women, young, old. There really isn’t a barrier to entry for this. Whoever needs the space is welcome to come.”
He also added, “A lot of people come because they’re feeling lonely in a new area, or they want to make new friends.”
Perryman expressed his hope that his “Empty Chairs” campaign will serve as a lasting tribute to his best friend, Rob, a person he believes would have greatly benefited from a similar support system.
“He was the kindest, sweetest guy you could ever hope to meet,” Perryman said fondly of his friend. “Like a lot of men, he wasn’t the biggest sharer. He was very much the life and soul of anywhere you went, but he wasn’t someone who would be the first to open up about it if he was feeling some type of way.”
“To now be in a position where Empty Chairs looks like it could be a legacy for Rob is amazing,” Perryman concluded, reflecting on the profound impact of his initiative.
