Perhaps the most important thing to know is that you’re not being left alone in a room with people you don’t know and expected to make conversation with strangers -we’ve been to awkward events like that and they’re no fun. That’s why we’ve put a lot of thought into making this Meet Up feel comfortable for all of us introverted, highly sensitive and shy folk. Here’s how we’re making this an enjoyable event:

• We’ve given this event a clear purpose and a focus with easy and enjoyable activities. You’re not expected to mingle or boldly strike up a conversation with a stranger out of nowhere. Instead, you’re being invited to put on your metaphorical explorer’s hat and have a go at various activities designed to promote wellbeing and help you connect with each other and feel a part of the community in a simple way.

• There’s a choice of activities which are easy, accessible and all optional. There’s NO pinata, pass the parcel or ice breakers here. At no point will you be the centre of attention and you don’t have to be creative or expressive at all to take part. There’s always space to observe first, too. What you will find is that these positive activities naturally create a sense of connection, commonalities and conversation among us quieteers.

• We’ll set up a cosy sitting space with our usual Meet Up kit in the lounge which will bring some familiarity for many of you. There are also some small retreat rooms available for you if you feel tired, overstimulated or want to enjoy some quiet time at any point so that you take a break by yourself, sit and chill with a supportive quieteer, or you want a private space to practice mindfulness or breathwork.

• Michele, Stacie and Hayley, along with other team members, will be floating around quietly connecting with you throughout the evening. We’ll be there for you to help you feel comfortable and settled, and you will easily spot one of us if you want some support or to hang out with us for a little while. We’ll make it obvious who these people are for you.

• There are quieteers we’ve worked with who we know will get along if they met, and we hope to be able to introduce you and share what you have in common to help you connect and make new friendships.

• You might like to know that you have the option to bring a friend or family member along if this will help you to feel more comfortable joining us. Equally, you might feel reassured that, so far, most people have opted not to bring a plus one.

• You’ll be warmly welcomed by Rose, one of our lovely volunteers, when you arrive so you’ll receive lots of kindness and reassurance from her straight away. She’ll let you know where to go next. At no point will you be walking into a room where everyone will turn to look at you.

• To help familiarise and guide you through the flow of the space, one of our wonderful team members will be happy to show you around when you arrive. And shortly after 7pm, Stacie and Michele will be saying a few words to welcome you.

• You can leave early –as much as we would love to have you with us the whole time, we prefer if you follow your impulse and give yourself permission to head home if your body is saying it’s had enough.

Kieron will assist you with parking between 6:45pm-7:15pm (you’ll spot Kieron in hi-viz). 

Doors will open at 7pm. Rose will greet you between 7:00pm-7:15pm at the main entrance (blue doors).

If you arrive later you’re still welcome to park up and come in. 

You’re welcome to wear whatever feels comfortable and expresses who you are. Some people will be in floaty dresses while other people will be showing up in jeans or with ‘walk on the beach’ vibes. It’s a relaxed event and it’s your celebration. Be you.

Yes, there’s a small hanging space for coats. When this is full we’ll use space in a smaller room. (Please note that we cannot take responsibility for any belongings that you bring).

There are 45 parking spaces available at Epiphany House. Please car share wherever possible. 

We’re reserving spaces right outside the house for people with mobility challenges. Please let us know if you need a space next to the entrance and we can save this for you (email michele@quietconnections.co.uk). 

Otherwise, you will be directed to park along the drive and in the overflow parking. Kieron will be there in hi-viz to help direct you - please follow his instructions.

(If you're parking along the drive we'd like you to turn around at the top so that you're facing the right way to easily exit after the event - this will be clear when you arrive).

Thanks in advance for your cooperation to help make parking as stress-free as possible.

As you drive in you'll be met by Kieron (Michele's lovely husband) who will be wearing hi-viz and will help you to park.

Them, our lovely volunteer Rose will be greeting you at the door when you arrive at Epiphany House. Rose joined Quiet Connections about five years ago, starting with coaching and then attending our (Redruth) Meet Ups and becoming a volunteer, so she can relate to your feelings and experiences, and you’ll receive lots of kindness and reassurance from her straight away. She’ll let you know where to go next. At no point will you be walking into a room where everyone will turn to look at you.

If you are feeling particularly nervous about coming along and would like for a team member to meet you outside, please let us know by contacting us on hello@quietconnections.co.uk so that we can arrange this with you. 

There’s a selection of non-alcoholic drinks including tea and coffee, Shloer and J2O. 

Your food has been ordered as requested.  No new orders can be placed after 8th December. Cupcakes will also be available (sorry, these aren’t vegan).

We have the Godrevy Room, Trevose Lounge and the Pendeen Room booked, with additional use of the smaller rooms and the Chapel , so it'll only be us quieteers at Epiphany House for the entire evening.

Yes. We’ll always encourage you to give yourself what you need. If at any point you feel you need to step away, you are welcome to go and make yourself a cuppa or leave for a break in one of the dedicated Quiet Retreat spaces or Chapel before rejoining the group. Our facilitators will be mindful to offer that space and a check-in chat, if needed.

Naturally, lots of thought has gone into the (optional) activities available in the treasure trove, which are all designed to promote positive emotions and a wellbeing boost. Every activity serves the purpose of the event: gentle connection and celebrating quiet. So, you’ll find activities that help you to make meaningful connections and feel a part of something bigger; spaces where stories can be shared in different ways, so you truly feel understood; and activities that help you to uncover and appreciate the quieter strengths and qualities within you and our community.

Activities include adding a leaf to the Tree of Hope, writing an anonymous letter of kindness, or making a gift for another quieteer, as well as attending a writing for wellbeing or sound bath taster session. There’s something accessible and enjoyable for everyone (and you can do as much or as little as you like).

No, our Quieteers Christmas Celebratation is free for you to attend. We’re a Community Interest Company so funding comes from The National Lottery Community Fund. All refreshments on the night, including water, teas, coffees, pasties and cake will be provided free of charge too.

Yes, you need to RSVP for this event  by Thursday 8th December with your pasty option so that we can place our refreshment order with Epiphany House, and so that we know who to expect and can easily contact you if there are any changes you need to know about.

We expect to have between 40-50 people joining us for this Meet Up. As this event is a celebration of you and our wider community we have intentionally planned for it to accommodate a larger group of people, whilst ensuring that there is plenty of space for quiet breaks and activities designed for 1:1 and small group connection.

Epiphany House is a cosy and welcoming space, and there will be Christmas decorations and music in the background for a festive feel. The event will have an ambience that feels both calm, re-energising, and gently celebratory. We’ll often have uplifting or relaxing music playing quietly in the background. The optional activities that will be available focus on nurturing conversations and participation that has a collective positive upwards spiral that help to increase gratitude, small comfort zone stretches, a sense of belonging and discovering other peoples stories.

We really do remove the pressure - because we’ve been there too. As quiet facilitators, we like to think that we’ve found a good balance between being attentive to the group and giving you your own space. If we sense you’re in any difficulty, we will gently make sure that you’re okay. But otherwise we will allow you to join in as much or as little as you like.

Absolutely. We’ve included the option for you to tick a Plus One on the RSVP form as we recognise this might be helpful for you to feel more comfortable with coming along to the event. We will need to collect the pasty option of your plus one before the 8th December; you can email us directly with this at hello@quietconnections.co.uk or look out for our email requesting this information.

There are plenty of public transport options into Truro. If you are travelling via bus or train, please let us know as we will look into arranging a taxi from Truro Rail Station to Epiphany House for a set time. You can contact us on hello@quietconnections.co.uk 

We’re always pleased to hear from lovely volunteers in our local community. If you think you might like to help out at the event or get involved with Quiet Connections in another way, please contact Hayley & Stacie on hello@quietconnections.co.uk and they’ll be in touch.