What emotions are present for us when we think about the climate and ecological crisis? How do we feel knowing our children face such an uncertain and challenging future, some more so than others? What does it mean to be a good parent at this time?

We need this kind of exploration as it becomes increasingly evident that climate and ecological breakdown are a clear and present danger to our own safety and wellbeing with an even greater impact likely for our children.

We need to talk about what our changing world means for us and them in terms of impacts at personal, family and societal level. We need to imagine it in some detail so as to be able to think about it constructively and clearly, and to explore some complex feelings and thoughts which may often be taboo and hard to talk about.

A space for feelings rather than advice

The focus of discussion is participants’ thoughts and feelings about the climate and ecological crisis. There are no guest speakers, no talks and no advice offered – this is a space for feelings. Whilst the climate and ecological crisis is usually the main focus of the circle we realise that in these exceptional times there will be other related preoccupations and these can be explored here too.

Who will be facilitating?

This circle will be led by two trained facilitators and the format has been developed by Rebecca Nestor and Jo McAndrews.

Rebecca is an organisational consultant, facilitator and coach, based in Oxford, UK. She is a board member of the Climate Psychology Alliance, leads the CPA’s work on climate cafés, and recently submitted her doctoral thesis at the University of Essex/Tavistock Centre on leadership in climate change organisations.

Jo is a psychotherapist who trains, supports and facilitates parents and professionals who work with children, to understand how children grow with resilience and what gets in the way of that. https://www.jomcandrews.com

How much does a ticket cost?

Places for this Circle are offered free of charge and also on a ‘pay what you can’ basis. Paying an amount that feels appropriate and comfortable for you will help us to provide more of these spaces and train more facilitators, and free spaces are available for anyone who needs them too.

If you register and find that you can no longer attend please let us know so that your place can be offered to someone else.

If this Circle has booked up please add yourself to the waiting list – places do become available at short notice and we will contact anyone on the list with the date of future Circles.

Feedback

There will be an opportunity at the end of the session to feed back directly on your experience and/or to fill in a short form if you’d prefer to offer your thoughts confidentially. We welcome all comments – these will each be taken into consideration as we plan for more of these Climate Circles through the year.

Lead Image: Skaleskar1992, Pixabay

Second Image: Jupilu, Pixabay

What is a Climate Café?

A climate café is a simple, hospitable, empathetic space where fears & uncertainties about our climate & ecological crisis can be safely expressed. The model is adapted from Death Cafés.

This one is for anyone aged 18 or over.

Why do we need Climate Cafés?

We need the kind of exploration that climate cafés provide as it becomes more evident that climate and ecological breakdown are not far-away problems but a clear and present danger to our own safety and wellbeing. People increasingly need to talk about what our changing world means for them in terms of impacts at personal, family and societal level. We need to imagine it in some detail so as to be able to think about it constructively and clear-sightedly, and to explore some complex feelings and thoughts which may often be taboo and hard to talk about.

What happens during a Climate Café?

The focus of discussion is participants’ thoughts and feelings about the climate and ecological crisis. There are no guest speakers and no talks, and it is an advice-free zone. Whilst the climate and ecological crisis is usually the main focus of the café we realise too, in these exceptional times, that COVID19 is another life-threatening preoccupation and needs a space to be explored – and this can happen here too.

This café will be led by trained facilitators.

A reminder email will be sent to registered participants in the week leading up to the café, followed by the Zoom link the day beforehand. Please check spam/junk folders and if you have any issues contact us at [email protected]

What is a Climate Café?

A climate café is a simple, hospitable, empathetic space where fears & uncertainties about our climate & ecological crisis can be safely expressed. The model is adapted from Death Cafés.

This one is for anyone aged 18 or over.

Why do we need Climate Cafés?

We need the kind of exploration that climate cafés provide as it becomes more evident that climate and ecological breakdown are not far-away problems but a clear and present danger to our own safety and wellbeing. People increasingly need to talk about what our changing world means for them in terms of impacts at personal, family and societal level. We need to imagine it in some detail so as to be able to think about it constructively and clear-sightedly, and to explore some complex feelings and thoughts which may often be taboo and hard to talk about.

What happens during a Climate Café?

The focus of discussion is participants’ thoughts and feelings about the climate and ecological crisis. There are no guest speakers and no talks, and it is an advice-free zone. Whilst the climate and ecological crisis is usually the main focus of the café we realise too, in these exceptional times, that COVID19 is another life-threatening preoccupation and needs a space to be explored – and this can happen here too.

This café will be led by trained facilitators.

A reminder email will be sent to registered participants in the week leading up to the café, followed by the Zoom link the day beforehand. Please check spam/junk folders and if you have any issues contact us at [email protected]

It is essential to have attended a climate café before undertaking this training. More detail below.

What is a Climate Café?

A Climate Café is a simple, hospitable, empathetic process that offers a space where fears and uncertainties about our climate crisis can be safely expressed, leading over time to greater emotional resilience and understanding.

We need the kind of exploration that Climate Cafés provide as it becomes more evident that climate change is not a far-away problem but a clear and present danger to our own safety and wellbeing. People increasingly need to talk about what our changing climate means for them in terms of impacts at personal, family and societal level. We need to imagine it in some detail so as to be able to think about it constructively and clear-sightedly, and to explore some complex feelings and thoughts which may often be taboo and hard to talk about.

The focus of discussion is participants’ thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis. There are no guest speakers and no talks, and it is an advice-free zone. This is psychologically important, helping to create the supportive atmosphere.

What is the purpose of this workshop?

Climate Psychology Alliance members are establishing climate cafés in communities across the UK, and we want to see them taking place in every location.

This workshop will support participants to develop the confidence to set up their own Climate Café. It will include a short taster climate café, the psycho-social principles on which Climate Cafés are based, building a toolkit of practical resources, and a discussion of the organisation and facilitation of Climate Cafés.

Are there any requirements to attend?

Yes. You do not need a therapeutic background to take this workshop but it is essential that you have attended a climate café as a participant before doing this training.

This will need to be a climate café that:

• focuses on feelings rather than action
• is clear that it is not a space for discussing or debating climate policy, climate science or climate action.

If you cannot get a place on one of ours, an internet search or a browse on Eventbrite should produce some. You can check with the organiser if it meets the criteria above or get in touch with us. Please do join our waiting lists as spaces regularly become available at short notice.

All our climate cafés are listed here.

Who is running it?

Rebecca Nestor, doctoral researcher at the Tavistock Centre, who has been facilitating Climate Cafés in Oxford for two years

Gillian Broad, professor of social work at the University of Sussex and an experienced facilitator of reflective groups including Climate Cafés.

When is it and how much does it cost?

Sat 11th Mar 14.00 – 17.00 GMT

Cost: £20 standard rate & £5 concessionary rate (for students and those on low income).

A reminder will be sent to registered participants leading up to the workshop and the Zoom link will be shared the day beforehand. Please check spam/junk folders.

If you have any problems please email [email protected]