Compassionate Cafe
If you’re grieving, caring for someone, living with loss or simply feeling isolated then why not come along to our cafe. Walking into a room of people you don’t know can feel like a very big step and understandably very daunting.
Here’s what happens when you come to the Lighthouse Compassionate Café:
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A volunteer – Compassionate Friend will welcome you and offer you a tea or coffee (with the obvious choice of biscuits or cake) they will sit and chat with you to find out a little about you or you can be introduced to the group and join them if you prefer, there is usually a circle of people sharing stories and thoughts or there is the option to have a quieter one to one chat at a separate table the choice is really yours there is no pressure just whatever you are comfortable with.
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Conversations can be light and general about the weather, how the week has been or even the dreaded topic of politics (not very often we are glad to say). Sometimes someone might mention a loved one they have lost or share memories, tears might be shed but that is ok you are amongst people that have been through or going through similar so it is ok (and we have a stock of tissues at the ready). We are not there to judge just to acknowledge these feelings are important and need to be shared and recognised, we do not try to fix things as we are not counsellor’s, we are Compassionate Friends.
No one will expect you to share anything personal, some people come to sit and listen to others and feel understood, we all come because its nice to be around people that “get it”
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We usually have 5-6 volunteers and a up to 7 guests, sometimes it could only be 1, it is a really new group of 4 months and we are still all learning, the important thing is that it is or will be your group and new ideas and constructive criticism is always very welcome.
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There is no need to book just turn up as see how you get on, no obligation to stay for the whole 2 hours or even come every week the choice is yours to make.
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A volunteer can meet you outside if you didn’t want to walk in on your own just message us on here or email trevor.hatcher@nhs.net or ring the Lighthouse Centre on 01579 641669
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You can find local Compassionate Cafes here: https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/compassionatecafes/
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Lighthouse Compassionate Café Bell House Church Street Liskeard PL14 3AG every Monday 10:00 – 12:00 (excluding Bank Holidays)