A space to speak freely about your feelings around the climate crisis

Waves rolling across a dark green sea

Our Climate Café Listening Circles offer a calm, welcoming setting where you can share whatever you’re feeling about our changing world, and be heard by others doing the same.

Person sitting on a window seat, looking out at the rain

Inside a Climate Café Listening Circle

Hear from a facilitator and people who've taken part (video coming soon).

A simple, hospitable space for difficult feelings

Two people sitting on a churchyard wall, talking

A Climate Café Listening Circle is a gentle container for the feelings we might struggle to voice elsewhere. Fear. Grief. Anger. Helplessness. Numbness. The kinds of emotions that can feel too big, too taboo, or too much for everyday conversation. Talking about these feelings helps us feel grounded and connected in a world that feels uncertain.

The word "café" evokes the warmth of sharing tea with others, even in an online setting. The word "circle" reflects how we gather: as equals, without hierarchy, without an agenda beyond listening and being listened to. There are no guest speakers, no talks, and no advice. It is, quite deliberately, an advice-free zone.

Woman talking openly with a listener on a sofa
Bare tree reflected in a puddle

Our circles are open to anyone aged 18 or over who is affected by the climate and ecological crisis. Most run online, with some in-person circles held across the UK. Each session is guided by two trained facilitators who hold the space with care, respect, and confidentiality.

The Climate Café Listening Circle model was developed by Rebecca Nestor and Gillian Broad.

What to expect

1

Find a circle

Browse our upcoming listening circles on the events calendar. Most run online, with some held in person across the UK. Pick a date that works for you and book your free place.

Browse upcoming circles
2

Arrive as you are

Circles usually run for around 90 minutes with up to 10 participants plus two facilitators. You'll be welcomed in, introduced to the format, and invited to share only what you want to share. Listening is just as valuable as speaking.

3

Be heard, and hear others

The focus is feelings, not policy or science or action plans. You'll hear others speak honestly about their experience of the crisis, and be given space to do the same. Confidentiality is held by everyone in the room.

4

Leave with a little more space inside

You might leave feeling lighter, less alone, and more able to carry on. You’re always welcome to come back to another session. Some participants eventually go on to train as facilitators themselves.

Testimonials

What participants say

"I feel that I have connected to deeply held emotions and whilst that makes me feel vulnerable, I also feel more authentic. ."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"It was the first time I felt able to cry about nature, the loss. I hadn’t realised how upset I was until then."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I found it comforting to hear from others, to find that other people have similar thoughts, feelings and struggles. It made me feel connected and less alone in it all."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I feel that I have connected to deeply held emotions and whilst that makes me feel vulnerable, I also feel more authentic."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"Listening and feeling heard helped me to connect much more deeply to my own emotions than I had expected."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I loved the gentleness and the care"

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I came away feeling like I was being accompanied and well-held... It was such a gift to self."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I felt a sense of connection and sharing of emotional states"

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I felt validated, witnessed, seen and soothed."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"This work is profound and useful. The facilitated structure of two rounds is an unfolding and builds connection gradually. "Silence is a welcome guest" as I learned through exploration. "

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

"I came looking for support and found a community. CPA gave me language for feelings I didn't know how to name."

Climate Café Listening Circle participant

Ready to join a circle?

Wherever you are with all of this, there's a place for you here.

Find a Climate Café Listening Circle
Train as a facilitator