Engaging with Community and Organisations
COVID-19 Pandemic mutual support Empathy Cafe's
UCC Staff member Marta Neto has been holding in person and online Empathy Cafés since before the pandemic. Since COVID-19 she has seen a large increase in interest and need for them in various settings, including to support front-line workers. A facilitation practice that enables mutual active listening and supports dialogue, Marta has seen it be of particular value to community organisers and those involved in community building.
Marta is now running regular online Empathy Cafés/Circles with various topics including 'COVID-19 Pandemic mutual support'. She is also training people in Empathy Circle Facilitation. An Empathy Circle is a structured dialogue process based on mutual active listening that increases constructive dialogue and mutual understanding. Some uses include self-care, community building, relationship strengthening, brainstorming and conflict resilience. It can be a critical and useful tool for peer support, management teams, community organisers, teachers or counsellors that for use during the course of their practice.
Marta invites anyone interested in training Empathy Café Facilitators, both organisations and at an indivudal level to contact her to find out more.
Edwin Rutsch from The Center For Building a Culture of Empathy developed the method and continues to share the practice and help support its spread online. Marta Neto learned with Edwin and is offers online Empathy Cafés to the general public and Extinction Rebellion Ireland activists. COntact Marta to find out more about hosting an Empathy Café with your group.
For more on this story contact:
Marta Neto - marta.neto@ucc.ie