Connect Café Facilitator
Facilitator of the "Connect Café" Ireland program for the Polish community in County Mayo.
What is a Connect Café?
Connect Cafés are organised events that bring people together to connect and start conversations. Their goal is to open conversations, strengthening the connection with ourselves, with others and with our communities.
Research shows that connecting is one of the simple things you can do as part of your daily life to protect your mental health.
Benefits of a Connect Café
- Enhance connections with others.
- Make new connections.
- Create a sense of community and belonging.
- Create a space to have open meaningful conversations.
- Learn about the importance of connecting with others.
- Reduce isolation and loneliness.
My Role as a Facilitator
As a facilitator for the Polish community in County Mayo, my role involves creating a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can gather to connect. This involves running the events, whether face-to-face or virtual, and guiding the conversations.
I utilize active listening skills to encourage dialogue, minimize distractions, and ensure everyone feels heard and respected. A key part of the process is using structured questions (often based on the "5 Ways to Wellbeing") to spark meaningful interactions among attendees.