A new fortnightly meet-up is launching in Westbury to give neurodivergent or socially anxious women a welcoming community space.
Donna-Michelle Donkin and her daughter Cerys have set up The Comfort Cafe in Westbury, following the success of a similar group in Trowbridge.
The group’s first meeting will be on Tuesday 12th May at Leigh Park Community Centre.
“We are so excited to be starting this venture in Westbury, at this wonderful community venue, and to connect with other women who also feel the need for this space,” said Donna.
The duo were inspired to start the group by Cerys’ experience of living with various chronic illnesses, as well as auditory processing disorder, social anxiety and autism.
“We recognise, through our own experiences, that there is a need for community, for safe spaces, for people to feel validated, safe, loved, accepted just the way they are,” said Donna.
“This is why Cerys suggested we provide a community for women like her, and we created The Comfort Cafe. We understand the challenges of navigating a neurotypical world, one where a person can and has felt excluded or alone because of their differences, disabilities or struggles. We aren’t professionals, we just have lived experience.”
The Trowbridge group sees a range of women, from 18 to 70, come along to meet with each other.
“We provide activities and books at our sessions, and women are welcome to bring their own distractions or hobbies,” said Donna.
“You don’t need to have a formal diagnosis of autism, ADHD or social anxiety; we recognise that assessment waits are long. As long as it’s all relevant and relatable to you, then that’s enough for us.
“We’ve had a meeting with the amazing Debbie Cole at the Leigh Park Community Centre, and we were met with such warmth and enthusiasm about our Comfort Cafe that we knew immediately this venue was the perfect fit for us.”
The first session in Westbury will take place from 10.30am until 12.30pm on Tuesday 12th May at the Leigh Park Community Centre. There will be refreshments and light lunches available.
The group is open to any women aged over 18 who are neurodivergent or socially anxious.
For more information, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574715929051
