Funded by a combination of small fee charges and various grants ,this monthly group continues to be very successful; supporting the emotional resilience and improving the coping strategies of a regular group of up to 20 participants.

An analysis carried out by volunteer Louise Kennedy in September 2018 showed how much group attendees were benefitting from sharing and discussing issues in a group setting. A Copy of the report is available on request from the office. Here are a couple of the personal reflections

“I was challenged to get back in touch with relatives who I hadn’t seen for a while, and it went really well “

“I am much better at being able to see other people’s point of view and look at different aspects of my life more clearly “

“I am listening to different attitudes that people have about things”

Each month the group, led by life coach, Debra McCallion, decide for themselves what topics they would like to explore, including some very challenging areas, and is always ready to welcome new attendees. They also set themselves new small challenges each month which has led to attendees really getting out of their comfort zones, including going on the metro, going swimming, being braver about telephoning insurance and pension companies, and joining in with opportunities for dancing and table tennis when they arise. Some subjects explored this past year include decluttering our minds, dealing with guilt, being open to change, how to say no, tapping into kindness, and improving relationships.