"Happiness is a good cup of coffee and a good chat"
About MATES Cafe
About MATES Cafe
What is MATES Cafe?
MATES Cafe is a network of everyday people of all ages, cultures and ethnicity (including teens, elders and lgbt+) who are trained to meet with someone in need on our online community or at a local cafe, and provide emotional support and encouragement. Through this strength-based community initiative, MATES Cafe is erasing lonely.
MATES Cafe is about being the change, our facilitators are trained to empower their own lives
so they can be there for others in a time of need
so they can be there for others in a time of need
MATES training utilises the power of the Emotional Reset Technique (ERT) which helps you take charge of your emotions, relationships and thinking so you can stop sabotaging your happiness and start enjoying more in life.
MATES Cafe facilitators are the life-blood of our organisation. They do not give advice, yet are able to demonstrate by being the change in their own life and living by example. It is therefore the role of the MATES Organisation to empower our facilitators toward a healthy, happy and fulfilling life.
In your Community
Is MATES Cafe Actually a Physical Cafe?
MATES Cafe is:
- An online and offline global community program which will take your life to a whole new level and together we will erase lonely.
- Accessible via your computer and mobile phone to immediately empower individuals to be there for those undergoing hardship or crisis.
- A global network of everyday people providing emotional support and encouragement to people in need.
- Partner with local cafes in our communities who help us create a supportive, open and encouraging environment.
MATES Cafe makes it easy for people experiencing feelings of isolation to reach out for emotional support and encouragement when it matters most.
Who Can Be a MATE?
MATES facilitators are just like you and me, and from all walks of life: office workers, caregivers, welders, labourers, business people, professionals, teachers, consultants, farmers, students, unemployed, self-employed, retired and the list goes on.
They have all been through life's journeys, the ups and downs, pulled through the tough times and know how important it is to have a MATE to lean on and be there for them, when undergoing life challenges or crisis situations.
The MATES Cafe Program is about your growth and developing, honing and utilising new skills to empower your relationships and your life. Through this process you will empower your community... and probably even save a life! This is a true win/win opportunity in which we will walk alongside you all the way. After all, isn't that what MATES are for?
They have all been through life's journeys, the ups and downs, pulled through the tough times and know how important it is to have a MATE to lean on and be there for them, when undergoing life challenges or crisis situations.
The MATES Cafe Program is about your growth and developing, honing and utilising new skills to empower your relationships and your life. Through this process you will empower your community... and probably even save a life! This is a true win/win opportunity in which we will walk alongside you all the way. After all, isn't that what MATES are for?
Many times our obstacles seem too hard for one person to overcome, and just maybe they are so we can learn that we are stronger together.
Overcome Isolation and Loneliness
MATES Cafe is here for you when you are going through crisis. We understand that we all go through challenges in life, just as you are and when we have, we have reached out to a MATE for support. MATES recognise the benefits of having someone to talk to and just being there for us.
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Feeling lonely and need a MATE? |
Already Inspire Others? |
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Isolation can lead to relationship violence, depression and suicide. MATES Cafe helps to eliminate isolation by supporting people through crisis such as relationship breakdown, loss, grief and loneliness. Meet with a MATE online or at your local cafe for the emotional support and encouragement you need to find new direction and meaning in your life.
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MATES Cafe facilitators around the world are trained to be on call for someone in need. To sit down with them online or at a local cafe for an hour, being a good MATE and helping them through a point of crisis in their life. Not about therapy, fixing them or giving advice but simply being there, really hearing them and helping them to find new direction.
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"If you can place a physical or emotional barrier between a person and suicide... you will help to save their life!” - Kerry Babbage, founder of the MATES Organisation
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Suicide is a global phenomenon and can occur at any time throughout a person's lifespan.
“Have you ever felt isolated or lonely to the degree that you have questioned whether life is worth living?” “The sad reality is that 761 people every minute are questioning their reason for living because they are feeling sad, isolated and alone. Many of these people hurt themselves to the degree of hospitalisation or even taking their own life.” |
The suicide rate is an indicator of social cohesion. The intentional taking of one's life is evidence not only of personal breakdown but also frequently of a deterioration of the social context in which individuals live:
Saving a Life can be to either:
- Help them navigate in a new direction, and see new options and choices to make...
- Help them to find support and hope to move forward in rebuilding their new life...
- Help spare the pain and anguish of all those around them who would be affected for the rest of their lives if they harmed themselves or others... spouses, ex-spouses, children, friends, friends of friends, workmates, colleagues, school friends, and many more...
No matter what your story...MATES are here for you...
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Update: 20/06/20 - We have been speaking with many people who are standing up to support this exciting project all around the world... In the coming year, we are aiming at training 5,000 MATES facilitators across New Zealand and 10,000+ in Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, China and India! Even if you live outside these locations we can still train you to be there for others (we will also empower your own life!) and our services are also available via our new online community network. So please tell your friends, family and collegues... Let's get this movement going globally! Sign up here to become a MATE
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Resolve relationship problems and prevent relationship violence, depression and suicide.
MATES is a Not-for-profit Organisation and Registered Charity No. CC45411
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MATES relies on your support. Please consider helping us with your time, expertise or financial donations. MATES has been saving lives and relationships for over 15 years inspired by the great support from our community and encouragement to keep going. We are not reliant on government funding, nor should we be, as to make real change in our community and be truly self-sustainable is for us to work together and empower one another in being the change. MATES Initiatives established in 2003 provide a real answer to empowering your life and to help our communities lower the horrific rates of suicide, depression and relationship violence and create positive role-models for our community and our children.