Mayo woman behind new wellbeing community initiative
A new writing and creative wellbeing group titled ‘Play Café’ is growing in popularity. The founder of the new wellbeing community is Mayo woman, Claire Kelly, and the group meets every Thursday, from 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. in Cuppa Joes, Market Square, Castlebar. The café is for curiosity, connection and creativity and participants can paint, write, collage, or play a board game. It is entirely up to the individual and the group is open to both women and men. No commitment to the group is necessary and those attending can stay as long as they wish. The organiser of the new Play Café is Claire Kelly, who is a published author and has a Degree in Sociology, and training in counselling skills. Claire is also the founder of Ghlór Mná, a writing for wellbeing community based in Castlebar.
Since launching, Ghlór Mná has run several sold-out events across Castlebar and Westport, attracting women from across the west of Ireland. Ghlór Mná workshops draw on Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques, the Lapidus International Creative Practices for Wellbeing Framework, and unique blend of sensory anchoring, storytelling, and visualisation. Their flagship event, ‘The Longest Day’ celebrated the summer solstice at the foot of the Reek, with 21 women attending the event.
Claire also hosts a monthly writing morning workshop at Crave at the Cottage Café in Ballintubber, and this provides a safe and nourishing space for mothers to explore the transition of parenthood. The Ghlór Mná community is growing steadily, with almost 600 followers online and a warm and engaging WhatsApp group.
Claire believes that meditation and yoga, combined with writing can help people express their feelings. “With the meditation, creativity and play aspect you're accessing a different part of your brain. You're much more in the creative flow and then that allows you to create something powerful when you're writing and people might have thoughts or feelings that might crop up during the writing. It is a well-being activity but it's creative, it's fun, it's not heavy and that's kind of what I'm trying to bring to Castlebar at the moment.”
Claire hopes that her new venture, the Play Café will prove as popular as her women’s group.
“When people hear the words ‘well-being and meditation’ they think this is going to be emotionally intense, but it's not about that. My workshops are about finding joy and settling into our bodies so we can connect with our thoughts, slow down a little bit, shake it out, and move through it. When people leave a session, I hope they feel that they have come to a social event and met some great connections. People are moving away from the pubs, and we're longing for something to keep people connected in the dark evenings during Autumn.”
The Play Cafe is open to all ages and is for both women and men. Claire said: “I'd love to see more of the older population come and visit as well. Some people are feeling so lonely, even though we're more connected than ever to our phones and our screens. However, a lot of people are seeking out places where they can be creative and try different activities in a low-pressure environment without having to commit to things.
“Every evening, we will have teas and coffees, a couple of sweet treats and there will be a creative menu full of different activities.”
Claire has said that there has been a huge interest in the Play Café so far.
“There's been a huge interest, and a lot of people have said that this is amazing and that we need we need more of these type of get-together’s in Castlebar.”
Claire also sees the Play Café potentially expanding to other areas of the county.
“I'm going to be working with Ballina Arts Centre in the new year, possibly in the spring, and I will do some community outreach workshops with them as well.”
For further details and information about Claire’s workshops, please visit here.