The Letterkenny Youth and Family Service Health & Social Cafe are celebrating their first birthday today (Thurs) on World Mental Health Day.
The Health & Social Cafe was born from young adults who expressed the need for an alcohol-free, safe space where people aged +18yrs could come along have a cup of tea and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure associated with socialising in the ‘pub’ environment.
The group is facilitated by the social prescriber and qualified counsellor, Edel McBrearty.
The cafe grows and develops organically with the members making all decisions in the way the Cafe operates.
In September 2018 they named their group LYFS Health and Social Cafe, designed and printed their poster to promote their achievement
Since September 2018 we have seen 18 participants avail of the cafe as active members. The age range is open to all adults from 18+ years.
The group feel it’s important not to cap an age limit as isolation and social interaction is so important at any age.
Our cafe offers a chance to meet people in an informal environment with similar interests, find new friends and have some fun.
We offer a variety of board games, pool table, computer access, music and card games are also proving very popular. We would hold pool tournaments, art and craft events and much more besides.
The group have organised two social outings including Christmas Party at Arena 7 and the cinema, with more to follow.
Wellbeing, health and peer support is high on the agenda for the group with plans to introduce a range of wellness activities in the cafe including, reflexology, mindfulness and positive stress management.
Each participant is encouraged to bring ideas and vision of how they would like to see LYFS HEALTH AND SOCIAL CAFE progress.
The LYFS HEALTH & SOCIAL CAFE meets every Thursday evening from 6.30pm to 8pm in LYFS Office, No1 New LIne House, New Line Rd, Letterkenny and is FREE!
New members welcome.
