Ciara worked on a community mental health team in the HSE as a peer support worker for 7 years. In this time, she supported many people on their recovery journeys. Ciara is passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces for those who experience human distress. She truly values the importance of connection and relationships in recovery and believes that the lived experience should be at the centre of everything we do in mental health. Ciara has a MSc in Mental Health from Trinity College Dublin where the focus of her research was peer support workers integration into mental health teams in Ireland.

Dominic has been engaging in mental health services from a very young age. In recent years, he has volunteered with Arches Recovery College which offers recovery education and services that are delivered by people with lived experience of mental health. Dominic provides a safe, compassionate, welcoming space. He listens in a non-judgemental way while people explore their difficulties. His intention is to support the people who visit Solace Café to progress on their recovery and wellbeing journeys.

Having experienced a lifetime of mental health challenges and subsequent recovery, Sarah joins us having volunteered as a facilitator of Aware’s in-person Support & Self Care Groups. She has a particular interest in the impact of menopause on women’s mental health. When not snoozing with frankie the pug, Sarah is happiest on a beach!

Nicole has been a mental health advocate throughout her life and has previously volunteered with organisations such as Jigsaw, Mental Health Ireland, and Samaritans. Prior to the café, Nicole completed an undergrad in Psychology at NCI and a masters in Psychology and Wellbeing at DCU. Her most recent research was based on organisational stress, resilience, and the impact of COVID-19. Nicole has always had a passion to try and offer a safe place to listen to those who need to be heard. A sense of belonging and expressing empathy is a key part of her work.