Description
This Café will offer a welcoming and interactive space for the local community to explore the psychology and lived experience of forgiveness. Drawing on Dr Masi Noor’s 15 years of international research in Northern Ireland, Chile, Palestine, and Israel, it blends scientific insight with human story.
Using materials from the online Forgiveness Toolbox, developed by The Forgiveness Project and Dr Masi Noor, and from the illustrated book Forgiveness Is Really Strange, written by Marina Cantacuzino and Dr Masi Noor, this event invites reflection, dialogue, and personal growth at a time of year when themes of renewal and healing feel especially meaningful.
Prior to the session, we will send each participant a set of guidelines. Please ensure you read these ahead of the event.
At the end of the event, participants will receive a resource sheet to take away and use for their own personal explorations.
We really look forward to welcoming you to the Forgiveness Café as we grow our community around the world.
Dr. Masi Noor
Senior Lecturer, Keele University
Masi Noor is a senior lecturer in social psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University. Following his undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology at University of Ulster, he obtained his PhD in the social psychology of intergroup forgiveness at University of Sussex. His main line of research is examining the role of victimhood in the process of conflict resolution. He has conducted research and worked with different groups across divided societies, including Northern Ireland, Chile, Palestine/Israel, etc. He is a trained community conflict mediator and uses a participatory and interactive approach to training others. He speaks English, Farsi, & German.
Sandra Barefoot
Executive Director, The Forgiveness Project
Sandra Barefoot has over 30 years’ leadership experience in creative consultancy, programme management, research, and mentoring, specialising in multi-disciplinary arts. Her work spans NHS and community health, national theatre, Deaf and Disabled Arts, education, and criminal justice. For 16 years, she has led the award-winning prison programme RESTORE. A joint research fellow with the Griffin Society and the University of Cambridge, Sandra co-created a Shame Informed Approach to support practitioners and communities.
What Participants Say
“Thank you each and everyone. I feel soothed and also strong after our discussion!” – Carrie Supple, Forgiveness Café Participant
“Thank you so much for the meeting today. EXACTLY what I needed to save me from the big black hole that I felt I was in. Now I see some light, hope and a glimmer of joy in the essence of being. I really have had a seismic shift in perspective which is allowing me to approach my pain in a totally new way.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“Such a thought-provoking and inspirational session. Beautiful connections and sharing. Leaving with so many nuggets of wisdom, ideas and energy.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“It felt like a safe space held with much awareness and it almost felt therapeutic to listen to shared experiences and views on forgiveness that resonated with me so much.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“There is a connection in sharing such stories that creates a bond and deep empathy for those going through such heart-wrenching struggles.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“Beautiful discussion!!” – Lisa Rickert, Forgiveness Café Participant
“It was a real pleasure to be able to participate in the cafe and I look forward to further such opportunities.” – Forgiveness Café Participant
“I am so grateful to have had a short time in this group. Forgiveness to me is a conscious decision to add peace to the world, even when some instincts might ask us to be angry and vengeful. It is a process that I start anew over and over. For me, forgiveness is personal, and it is also radical. I imagine what our society would be like if we all, even sometimes, made the decision to face our hurts with grace, love, and truth telling.” – Perla Carlota Hatch, Forgiveness Café Participant
