Empathy cafés are a connective community building activity that practices reflective listening. In a small group of 3-4 people, we will take turns listening in response to a prompting question. You will learn to listen out for, and hear the other person, reflecting what they said, which can be helpful in resolving conflict, and gives the listener the opportunity to see the speaker's perspective. Reflective listening helps the speaker to feel seen and heard and can support your nervous system to relax and it's really easy to learn.

This event, in partnership with Benalla Sustainable Futures Group, is being facilitated by Rachel DeSumma, and a small team of Empathy Cafe facilitators.
We are committed to building stronger, connected communities with skills to thrive and relate well with each other.
The skills you learn at an Empathy café can continue to be used in your relationships with loved ones, colleagues and with the broader community. Once you start empathic listening you won't want to stop!

These are some of the things you can foster at an Empathy cafe:

* Grow gratitude, empathy, appreciation for others

* Practice moving through challenging conversations with ease & grace

* Build connection with those sharing different views from our own

* Practice reflective listening: reflecting back what another person says

* Deepen your awareness about yourself and others

Testimonial:
'I was absolutely blown away after my first empathy cafe. The deep listening, heartfelt sharing and sense of community this process facilitates was like nothing I have ever experienced. I have since been integrating the skills I learnt into my life.
An Empathy Cafe is for everybody.' - past participant

This is the first of a series of six monthly Empathy cafes with a different prompting question each session.

Tea. coffee, and light refreshments provided. Please let us know of any accessibility and dietary requirements.

Dates have been set for the next three months: October 19th, November 16th, and December 7th. New dates will be confirmed closer to the end of the year. Please contact Rachel DeSumma if you have any questions via email rdesumma@gmail.com or phone 0417 720 984.

This event is being offered on a donation basis. We invite you to contribute what you can to help cover room hire, refreshments and preparation costs. We look forward to sharing the Empathy Cafe experience with you!!