06/02/2026
SO WHAT DO WE DO AT AN EMBRACE MEETUP?
Itās come to my attention that weāve had quite a few new people join the group lately who might be interested in coming along, but arenāt really sure what to expect and our old posts are too far down. So I thought Iād do a non-formal, straight-to-the-point rundown without all the background information or boring stuff.
šIs it like a therapy session? Do we have to talk about ourselves and our mental healthš
Absolutely not. Most of the time weāre just chatting about normal day-to-day life. Itās an open space with like-minded people who understand each other, and while you can talk about anything that might be weighing on you, a lot of the time it honestly just feels like catching up with a group of friends for a meal or coffee and getting out of the house.
šWhere and whenš
Meetups are held each month on a different day/date, time, and venue. We usually alternate between places like pubs, restaurants, cafes, and sometimes other spots like parks. We also try to mix it up between weekdays and weekends. It can be hard to cater to everyone, but we do try to be mindful of what suits people best and switch things up where we can.
šHow do you find us?š
We will post in the group the location and details in advance, if itās at a pub we will let you know if itās inside or outside. When you arrive you will spot pat or myself, as well as some sort of embrace merchandise. You are welcome to ask us where we are located too.
šHow long does a meetup go for?
They usually go for roughly a couple of hours. However, there is absolutely no obligation to stay that whole time. You can stay for as little or as long as you like, and you can turn up at any time. Thereās no pressure to order food or drinks if you donāt want to either.
šHow many people attend?š
It differs each time. Weāre seeing a lot of new faces pop up lately and are hoping to keep growing, but on average itās usually around 7 to 10 people. Some youāll start to recognise as regulars, and others will be new. We have a mix of male and female attendees and a range of ages. Conversations usually happen in smaller groups or one-on-one rather than as one big group discussion. Itās very natural
šWhat to expect when you arrive
Youāll usually spot Pat and/or myself first, normally with something Embrace-related so weāre easy enough to find. Just come over, introduce yourself, and weāll start chatting. Thereās no pressure to share anything you donāt want to.
šA quick noteš
Neither Pat nor I are mental health professionals. Everyone who attends is simply someone who has their own struggles and understands what thatās like. The only things we really ask are that everyone respects each otherās privacy, follows the group rules, and is kind and respectful.
Hopefully this gives you a clearer idea of what to expect and helps take some of the unknown out of coming along for the first time. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or reach out to either myself or Pat privately.
