Highly Sensitive Person Café

Are you someone who notices the subtle hues of emotions, feels the symphony of the surroundings, and often finds solace in the quiet corners of your mind? You might be a Highly Sensitive Person, and this drop-in café is your refuge.

Step into a space crafted with care, understanding, and warmth, where we invite you to embrace your unique trait and connect with kindred spirits who understand the beauty of depth and the strength in vulnerability. In our HSP Café, conversations flow and connections are forged on the common ground of shared sensitivity. Whether you seek a moment of quiet reflection, a heart-to-heart with fellow HSPs, or just the comfort of knowing you're not alone, our doors are wide open for you.

Come, join us for a cuppa and cake in an atmosphere where being sensitive is not just accepted but celebrated. Ask questions, share experiences, or just listen. The HSP Café is more than a space; it's a community, a haven, and a reminder that sensitivity is a beautiful facet of the human experience.

The café will be gently facilitated by Lorna and Cindy. Come and drop in anytime and stay for as long or as little as you like. It is very relaxed and there is no pressure to join in and chat, you are welcome to be with us and listen if you prefer.

How to find us

We'll meet in the back room of Hidden Store, a treasure trove of items from UK based deigners, makers and creators all drawn from natural patterns, materials and textures.

Event fee

£5 covers the cost of the venue, drinks and cake.

What is High Sensitivity?

Discovered by Dr. Elaine Aron 25 years ago, her research revealed that this trait is found in 20% of all people. It’s characterised by a finely tuned nervous system and an acute awareness of subtleties. It's not just a personality quirk; it's a neurological difference that brings with it a unique set of strengths and challenges. HSPs process the world around them very deeply, have strong emotional responses and are naturally very empathic. HSPs get overstimulated easily and often have sensory sensitivity to things such as food, noise, lighting etc.

If you’re curious about the HSP trait you can take the self-test here. HSPs are known as Orchids in this model. https://sensitivityresearch.com/self-tests/adult-self-test/

About Lorna:

I discovered my treasured trait of high sensitivity 20 years ago when I started raising a sensitive child. I noticed how neither of us could tolerate the noise and over stimulation of mother and baby groups. So I went in search of answers. I discovered the books of Elaine Aron and have found relief in reading, researching and studying the remarkable and wonderful trait of high sensitivity.

I'm an art educator, ceramicist, director of Pause for Creativity - Artist Led Workshops and Retreats.

I have always been interested in nature’s forms and shapes. As a child, fascinated by found objects, I collected shells, leaves, insects and mosses. I still find myself drawn to their colours, shapes and textures. When working with clay I feel connected to the earth and the plasticity of the clay allows me to endlessly reinvent and recreate the natural world in my work.

lornabode.com

About Cindy:

I'm an HSP and a psychotherapist. I know from my own and other’s experiences how vital it is for HSPs to meet other HSPs to validate and normalise the trait. I’ve have been working with HSPs for 12 years supporting them to flourish, understand and harmonise their relationship with themselves and others.

I founded the community group HSPconnect.uk for HSPs to find others, connect and build friendships. I also hold therapeutic sharing circles for HSPs within the group.

cindygalehsp.com

Lorna and Cindy at the last HSP Cafe in Bath held at Lorna's studio.

(Lorna left, Cindy right)

Previous HSP Cafe in Bath

One of Lorna's ceramic pieces inspired by the sea.

Host or Publisher Cindy Barnes