Buddies and baptism at The Dock
Sometimes, customers arriving in Dock Cafe just want a cup of coffee. Or tea. Or a sinfully luscious chocolate brownie. And that’s OK. But every so often, the cup of coffee is just the starting point for someone who is longing for a wee chat about the stresses, decisions or difficulties they are going through in life… and that’s where the Wee Chat Buddies come in.
Our friend Diane, is the passion behind this project (and will be training up some Dock volunteers, both old and new, in the Ways of Chat Buddydom). Over to her to describe the idea:
A team of trained ‘chat buddy’ volunteers will be available daily in The DOCK Cafe for anyone needing a wee chat, support or a listening ear through the various life challenges that often lead to poor mental health. The buddies will help gain access to relevant specialist counselling.
ANYTHING goes…. housing, suicide, self–harming, domestic abuse, alcohol, sexuality – you name it, we can hack it so don’t sit alone!
You can find out more about the Wee Chat Buddy scheme on the Dock website, or follow
@docktqweechat
on twitter, or – hey! – call in soon for a wee chat. As recently commented on the Dock blog, loneliness is killing us – so if you or anyone you know needs a listening ear, you know where to come…
And finally, to end on an Awwww!, have you heard that the Titanic Quarter has now had its first baptism? Little Lily Davis, daughter of Andy and Jenny (who run the TQ Mace) was baptised by the full mixture of Dock Chaplains on board SS Nomadic – a fantastic occasion and a little bit of history in the making.
Mace, Dock and Nomadic, three next–door neighbours, living out a snapshot of Shared, Social and Spiritual life in the Titanic Quarter. It’s like the vision for The Dock is actually happening!!