Dean Perryman's Empty Chairs Reaches 1,000 Meet-Ups After Friend's Suicide at 29
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 12
Dean Perryman's Empty Chairs Reaches 1,000 Meet-Ups After Friend's Suicide at 29
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 12
Summary
1,000 meet-ups in, Dean Perryman said his Empty Chairs campaign hit the milestone in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, with about 12 people attending the latest gathering.
The 30-year-old launched the pub-based meet-ups in December after his best friend Rob Clancy died by suicide at 29, aiming to give strangers a place to talk and feel less alone.
61 events attended by Perryman himself have helped build the effort from London and Essex into a volunteer-led network spanning U.K. cities including Manchester, Leeds and York, plus countries such as Spain, the UAE and Australia.
200 more events are already planned, with Perryman saying the sessions often draw a mix of ages and backgrounds and can lead to lasting friendships, especially in smaller towns.
For Perryman, the campaign's broader purpose is suicide prevention and connection, particularly creating a space where men feel able to open up about struggles they might otherwise keep private.
As 'Empty Chairs' expands globally, how can it maintain its authentic, personal mission?
Can a simple pub chat truly combat a public health crisis, or are there hidden risks?
"Empty Chairs": From Personal Tragedy to 1,000+ Global Meetups Combating Loneliness
Overview
The 'Empty Chairs' campaign began after Dean Perryman lost his best friend, Rob Clancy, to suicide in December 2025. Driven by personal grief, Perryman turned his pain into a mission to combat loneliness by creating supportive spaces for people struggling in silence. He launched 'Empty Chairs,' encouraging strangers to talk in pubs, which quickly resonated and grew into a global movement. The campaign now connects thousands worldwide, offering a simple way for people to find community and support. This journey from tragedy to widespread impact highlights how one person's commitment can inspire meaningful change.