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

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.

Inside a Climate Café Listening Circle

Hear from a facilitator and people who've taken part.

A simple, hospitable space for difficult feelings

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.

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

"We funded CPA's youth programme through our family foundation because we believe young people deserve spaces where their climate feelings are taken seriously. The work CPA is doing is irreplaceable, and we're proud to support it."

Funder

"Thank you so much for facilitating this space. It is very deeply appreciated and has nourished a space for processing the tucked-away pain of traumatic experiences from different points of my climate activism journey, as well as nurtured a sense of social connection to comrades and fellow human beings; from strangers to friends."

Retreat participant

“I felt like I was listened to and encouraged to express my feelings, regardless of what they were”

Support Space for Young Adults participant

"It was a good balance of information, practical tools, advice & reflection/sharing space. I liked having the wellbeing exercises to do in the session, as I often struggle to get myself to do them on my own, and to have someone guide with that. - Deep Resilience for a World in Crisis workshop participant "

Deep Resilience for a World in Crisis workshop participant

"I'm extremely grateful for the weekend. This..held space for grief and healing is exactly what is needed in activism, and I wish for a world where everyone has access to beautiful support like this. Thank you for a wonderful and restorative experience."

Youth Retreat participant

"As a therapist, CPA has been the professional home I didn't realise I needed. It's where I do my deepest thinking."

CPA member and practitioner

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

Climate café participant

Ready to join a circle?

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

Find a climate café
Train as a facilitator