I’M HERE.
YOU CAN TALK TO ME.
#PatChat
A human connection initiative created to make participation possible.
SOMETIMES WALKING INTO THE ROOM IS THE HARDEST PART.
Imagine this...
You've finally convinced yourself to go to that networking event, exhibition or conference. You walk through the doors.
BOOM.
Hundreds of people. Noise. Conversations everywhere. Everyone seems to know somebody.
You don't. You don't know where to stand. Who to approach. How to start.
So you think about turning around and going home.
And with that, you might lose an opportunity. A connection. A job. A customer. Or simply the chance to feel that you belonged there.
STOP.
I've seen people do exactly that.
I've also found myself walking with somebody around an event, introducing them to someone, helping them into a conversation or simply staying with them until they found their feet.
I was doing it before I had a name for it.
Now I do.
#PatChat.
WHAT IF THERE WAS SOMEONE YOU KNEW YOU COULD APPROACH?
Someone clearly identifiable.
Someone you knew you were allowed to walk up to and simply say:
“Can you help me?”
Not a therapist.
Not a counsellor.
Not somebody there to “fix” you.
A person trained to listen, understand the situation and help you take the next step.
Maybe you need someone to walk into the room with you.
Maybe you need an introduction.
Maybe you need help joining a conversation.
Maybe the noise and crowds have become too much and you just need somewhere quieter for a few minutes.
Or maybe you simply need somebody beside you until you find your feet.
That person is a #PatChat Ambassador.
And the message they wear is deliberately simple:
I'M HERE. YOU CAN TALK TO ME.
That's the whole bloody idea.
AN AMBASSADOR. NOT JUST A BADGE.
Anyone can wear a badge.
That isn't enough.
The idea behind #PatChat is that an Ambassador should be trained, assessed and trusted … someone who understands what their role is, what it isn't, and how to support another person appropriately.
That's why I'm working with Ellie Hutchison MSc and Penstock Training to develop the #PatChat Ambassador Training Programme.
And I'm going first.
I will be
#PatChat Ambassador 0001.
Trained. Assessed. Registered.
Then 0002, 0003 and 0004...
An Ambassador could be an attendee, an exhibitor, somebody from the venue, an organiser or somebody within a business.
Different people. Different events.
One recognisable message:
I'M HERE. YOU CAN TALK TO ME.
SO WHAT WOULD A #PATCHAT AMBASSADOR ACTUALLY DO?
WALK WITH YOU.
If walking into the room alone feels impossible, you don't have to.
MAKE THE INTRODUCTION.
Know who you want to meet but can't make that first move? We'll help.
HELP YOU JOIN THE CONVERSATION.
Getting into a group that's already talking can be bloody difficult.
FIND SOMEWHERE QUIETER.
Sometimes you just need to get away from the noise and reset.
LISTEN.
No fixing. No judgement. Sometimes you just need somebody to hear you.
HELP YOU FIND YOUR FEET.
Then, when you're ready, you carry on with what you came there to do.