Community invited to Climate Cafe listening circle
Local residents are invited to a free Climate Café listening circle, offering a safe, supportive space to share feelings and emotions about the climate and ecological crisis.
The first Climate Climate Café is Monday 21 September between 7pm and 8.30pm.
Organised by Climate Action Ilkley, Climate Cafés provide a simple, welcoming and empathetic environment where people can talk openly about emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, uncertainty, despair and hope. With recent experiences of heat and wildfires bringing the impacts of climate change closer to home, the organisers say it is increasingly important to have opportunities to listen to one another and recognise that we are not alone in our concerns.
The 90-minute session will follow a clear structure designed to ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak and be heard. There will be no guest speakers, presentations or advice-giving. Refreshments and cake will be provided.
“I was quite surprised how much better I felt after the session. It was just talking and listening, but somehow it helped.”— Climate Café participant, 2023
The session will be facilitated by Kate Graham, a psychotherapist and Quaker, and Sarah Bradley, a clinical and community psychologist. Both are members of Climate Action Ilkley. The session is based on a model developed by the Climate Psychology Alliance.
Although the event is being held at the Quaker House on Queens Road, there is no religious aspect to the session.
The event is free and open to everyone aged 18 and over, although places are limited and advance booking is required via eventbrite.
