This video is from our first Problem Solving Booth at Camden Lock in November 2016. It’s community psychology in action!
Problem Solving Booths are a novel approach to supporting wellbeing and disconnection in local communities has emerged with informal street booths popping up all over the country where strangers can discuss problems with one another.
The booths encourage relaxed two-way chat as an alternative to formal consultations with a therapist. For example, a homeless person might offer help to a police officer, with both then feeling valued and more knowledgeable about the needs of themselves and the community.
They simply consist of two chairs that face each other. One is for the “helper” and the other is for the “helped” who may have a problem or need advice. The concept is flexible so that individuals can swap roles if necessary.
The brainchild of psychologist Dr Charlie Howard, the idea was successfully tested in Camden, north London and booths are now appearing in many locations across the country, from housing estates to high streets, from the London Underground to youth centres.
The ultimate aim is to start a movement and to shake up how we all relate to each other. To achieve this, we want as many Problem Solving Booths run as possible around the UK and beyond. We want people to adapt the idea and to give it wings.
Run one in your community! We have developed free training and online tools to make this possible www.problemsolvingbooths.com

Nina and the Owls Team
www.owls.org.uk