Get connected at the Three Cs Café

Launched in May 2022, the Three Cs Café is a virtual mental wellbeing project by the Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club (GNMRC), encouraging colleagues to Check-in, Connect and Chat.

By Wendy McIntosh and Maria Clemente Rotary Club of Global Nurses and Midwives

Members of GNMRC recognised that isolation and lack of support were having a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of colleagues globally, and that this had been heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The experiences of colleagues and the global community during that time highlighted the importance of having a safe virtual space to meet and talk about matters that may be difficult to discuss in workplaces. There was an evident need in the nursing and midwifery community to connect with others to decrease a sense of isolation, loneliness, and – for some – despair and depression. And thus, the Three Cs Café was created: a virtual space for the community to Check-in, Connect and Chat.

The concept was inspired by the Frazzled Café initiative developed by comedian Ruby Wax in the United Kingdom – a walk-in café hosted by facilitators who are trained to sit with customers and provide them with support, a friendly ear, and a place of connection.

GNMRC Charter President Wendy McIntosh is a trained group facilitator with over 30 years working as a mental health nurse. Wendy recognises the importance of understanding group dynamics and that the skills required to facilitate a virtual café would be somewhat different to the usual skills nurses and midwives demonstrate in their professional roles.

An eight-week intensive training program commenced in March 2022. The essence of GNMRC’s hope for Three Cs Café was experienced by the facilitators as they supported each other in the process of learning and developing a new shared skill. Some were also able to integrate the skills learnt from the cafe training into their professional roles.

“The training was at a good pace, with a mix of explanations, videos, and activities, then a chance to reflect,” said GNMRC charter member Helen Cole. “The experience of being in the café and learning with the group was good. It was a very supportive, nurturing way to learn.”

“The most difficult thing is to allow for silence, but also to be curious with your questions to allow café participants to bring forward what is important for them to discuss,” said club member Sue Walker.
Café participants don’t need to be a Rotarian, nor a member of GNMRC, but they do need to be a nurse or midwife. With the support of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) the reach has been great, with colleagues from countries such as Mexico, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia joining the supportive virtual chat.

Café sessions are available via a Zoom link provided after registering for a session. Each session lasts for one hour, with several sessions offered each month.

For more information on the Three Cs Café, visit www.gnmrotaryclub.com/page/the-three-c-s-cafe-check-in-connect-and-chat