Safer Space is one such place. Its' a sixty minute, donation based, open online group. It happens every Thursday @ 6.30pm (unless I am on holiday.) It's for adults who choose to buy a ticket and take part.
Safer Space is a place for conversation. It is like a group of people meeting for lunch. We are there to learn from each other, to digest and to take a break. We are curious and conversational rather than combative, recognising our shared interest. It is a practical solidarity which works for each of us.
The absence of a set agenda, and my low expectations, help us relax to discuss our lives more freely. There is recourse through the facilitator and elsewhere but it is rarely used. It's akin to the the football game in no man's land on Christmas day. A cessation of hostilities that allows new helpful things to happen. A Safer Space.
Safer space is based on my clinical experience of, and evidence for, effective therapeutic groups. This experience includes devising, supervising, facilitating, clinically governing and being a member of, therapeutic groups across my twenty two year career in mental health. Therapeutic groups in high secure settings, psychiatric wards, in charitable organisations and in the community. The range of approaches included anger, anxiety management, self advocacy, intensive outpatient addiction rehabilitation, open addiction groups, ward talking groups, therapeutic music groups and community talking groups. I bring all this experience to Safer Space to create a therapeutic experience for you.
