How did it all begin and what's it all about
Talk to me today
is a social innovation by Olwen Edwards of One Small Key to allow each of us to help build a friendlier more connected community in Calderdale and beyond.
This is the story behind talk-to-me today:
I was at a Calderdale community networking meeting speaking with the Police officer responsible for safeguarding the vulnerable in Calderdale.
It was clear there are some challenges around being effective in encouraging different sectors of our community to connect and communicate as many remain "within their own world or bubble".

I then heard a director of a company that provides care for clients in their homes speak and was saddened to hear that for many of his clients, the carer is the only person they see all day. He added, the carers often say they do the job for the look of delight when they walk in.

It reminded me of how a baby re-acts to seeing it's parents in the morning when first awakened, how lovers look when they see the subject of their affection and how we all feel when we see a loved one after the anticipation of a long or lonely wait.

I instantly conceived an idea, at first purely being playful, for which both the police officer and company director instantly expressed enthusiasm. A brainchild was conceived. As we left, we met again in the carpark and I outlined the foundation of a plan which we discussed. Both agreed to support my plan.

The next day, I chose a domain name, costed the initiative. 2 days later, began to build this website.
Picture
Soon . . . my brainchild was born. A simple innovation to scatter practical ideas for overcoming the first step for many to connect and build a friendlier, community

Sowing seeds of change
"We need to find more ways to encourage and allow different sectors of our community to connect and communicate"

'The floral meaning of the dandelion is that it is a gift to a loved one that will provide happiness and is a promise of total faithfulness. SO, it can mean a lot to some people. 'Canadian Flower Delivery

Olwen  Jane  Edwards
LLB Hons   FPC   MSTAT
Innovator  ~  Communicator  ~  Alexander Technique Teacher ~
Trainer of Self-Leadership  &  Inter Personal Communication
"Let's build a Strong, resilient Society"

What's  talk to me today   all about then?
I was born in Jamaica. My family moved to Trinidad when I was 3 and a half. We came to Bradford when I was nearly 14.
In the West Indies, folk talk to each other.... alot! Whether they already know you or not. It is a difficult to feel isolated and lonely when this happens. I am sure it has alot to do with the weather which influences the culture, allowing us to feel more relaxed, open, receptive to others.

I wanted to find a way to encourage as many of us who wish, to to be receptive to those we already know and those we do not yet know.
Adults wearing the orange talk to me today wristband are making it highly visible, indicating we are happy to be spoken to, at a bus stop, in a queue, in a shop, wherever we are and we will encourage and seek connection, to make our community a friendlier, more fun place to live, healthier and safer from loneliness and isolation.

No more risk of rejection for opening a conversation, fear of being brushed off for intruding, being thought rude or strange for speaking to people you do not yet know...no more leaving others to be lonely even amongst others.

Please utilise the wristband to make more contact with others.

This is truly an inspirational initiative that I am sure a great many other people will wish they had thought of first............Bev Hopper
" This is a simple, inexpensive, highly visible initiative. I  hope the idea will catch on and spread lightly, easily, further afield like the seeds of the dandelion above ... seeds of change for a better society for us all. Thanks for  reading."        Olwen ~ May 2014
Sophie Ballinger (@sospot) tweeted at 2:35 PM on Wed, Jul 09, 2014:

@onesmallkey Allo. Just visited your site.
What a lovely idea! I'll ask about @makerfairehx -
I'm not sure tbh. I'll get back to you :-)
RC Bridgestock @RCBridgestock Thanks @onesmallkey Proud to wear - Encouraging an even friendlier Calderdale www..talk-to-me.today @CalderdaleHour pic.twitter.com/i6Tk88DsEc

merran mcrae @merranmcrae @onesmallkey @TimSwift @CllrSi @PaulPaulbutcher
it's a great idea, are you getting much feedback?

Talk to me today (c) Copyright 2014
Another innovation by One Small Key (c) 2014

Please do utilise without permission quotes, posters, photos except in support of genuine Talk-to-me.today wristbands, products purchased from Olwen Edwards or an official stockist or sponsor listed on this website.