Asda delivery drivers wear ‘happy to chat’ badges to help tackle lockdown loneliness

Asda delivery driver wearing a 'happy to chat' badge while delivering food shop in lockdown
Asda will give delivery drivers the option of wearing a ‘happy to chat’ badge (Picture: Asda/PA)

When’s the last time you had an actual chat? In real life, face to face (or face mask to face mask), not over Zoom?

For many people, it will have been months.

No wonder feelings of loneliness are on the rise during lockdown – opportunities for social interaction are limited when we’re not supposed to leave the house for non-essential reasons.

A brief interaction with a delivery driver might be the only face people say while isolated during the pandemic.

To make that interaction not so brief, and to help tackle loneliness as a result, Asda has launched a new initiative that will see some delivery drivers wear a ‘happy to chat’ badge.

It’s hoped these badges will encourage people to start a conversation and have a proper chinwag; which could be life-saving.

Drivers are not required to wear the badges – it’s entirely up to them – so you know that anyone wearing the badge is genuinely up for chatting.

The idea is that you’ll order your shopping, notice the badge, and feel more able to converse, giving you that oh so essential moment of social connection.

The scheme is backed by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), a charity that offers support and companionship.

‘The times that we’re in at the moment, sometimes we’ll be the only person the customer sees all week,’ said one driver.

Undated handout photo of a 'Happy to Chat' badge worn by an Asda delivery driver. The supermarket's delivery drivers will combat pandemic-induced loneliness by wearing badges to encourage customers to talk when receiving their shopping. PA Photo. Issue date: Wednesday November 25, 2020. See PA story SOCIAL Asda. Photo credit should read: Asda/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
They hope the badges will spark conversations and help to tackle loneliness in lockdown (Picture: PA)

Drivers have also been given guidance from the RVS in identifying whether or not somebody on the doorstop is exhibiting signs of loneliness, so they can engage when it’s most needed.

Anna-Maree Shaw, chief customer officer at Asda, said: ‘It’s a challenging time for everyone, especially those experiencing loneliness.

‘While Asda colleagues have always made an effort to have a quick chat and raise a smile, we want to make sure that whether it’s in our stores, at the doorstep or in the community – we’re here for customers this Christmas.’

Sam Ward, deputy chief executive and director of services at the RVS, said: ‘Royal Voluntary Service is incredibly proud to be part of such a wonderful initiative alongside Asda. We all understand that Christmas can be difficult for those who are on their own and that this year stands to be trickier than ever.

‘With the help of this fantastic project, it shows that even just a little Christmas kindness will go a long way in making the festive season easier for those in need.’

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