Open Module - Whole Systems Mindfulness: The Dragon Café Experience

Tamara will share her experience of working in and with the Dragon Café (www.dragoncafe.co.uk). This peer-led, creative, recovery-focused space offers a sanctuary in the middle of London for those who struggle to find a fit elsewhere in the healthcare services. Offering a variety of activities and programs, the creative thurst of the Dragon Café provides a space for individuals to explore their vulnerabilities and commonalities through a variety of means, in a supportive space. At the same time, the whole culture and organization of the café is based on working in a mindful way – fully present, non-reactive and non-judgmental. Tamara will share her process of how she has supported the delivery team and the management board in their journey to create a sustainable, compassionate, equal healing space and the amazing work of the RE:Create Psychiatry program (https://recreatepsychiatry.com). The role of the Café’s founder, Sarah Wheeler will also be discussed in relation to how to transition from a “catalyst” model (driven by a powerful individual story) into something independently sustainable.