Grieving Daughters

We are at *NEW* LOCATION ! - THE MAD HATTER HOTEL, SOUTHWARK. We meet for informal chat about anything you like. Conversation is free flowing and friendly. We always leave knowing something new! So as to find us easily there will be a GREEN BALL on our table.

*This event is supported by [languagecalendars.com](https://www.languagecalendars.com/)* Get **£5 off** their language calendars, posters & tees 👉 use code **HOLA5** or click this link: [https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5](https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5) **🌍 Connecting locals and internationals in London 🌍** Join us every Wednesday evening in Holborn for the London Language Exchange, where over 40 people gather each week to practice new languages, share cultures, and make new friends. See pics of our previous events on our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon), and chat to other members who are coming via our [whatsapp group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp/). **🙋 Who is this for?** All languages and levels are welcome, and we are inclusive of all ages, races, religions etc. Whether you're a polyglot, a beginner just starting with Duolingo Spanish, or you just want to come and socialise, you will be welcomed to our community of language learners and international friends. **🙌 What to Expect:** * **Language Practice:** Whether you’re fluent in Spanish, Italian, English, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, or any other language, our hosts will help you connect with people who match your language interests. * **Friendly Hosts:** Our hosts will greet you at the entrance, give you a label where you can write the language(s) you speak and the ones you’d like to learn or practice. * **Inclusive Atmosphere:** We welcome all languages and levels, and make sure everyone feels comfortable—especially if you're coming alone! It’s a relaxed environment perfect for making new friends and practising languages at your own pace. * **Socialising:** Coming alone or with friends, this is a great opportunity to meet new people in the city. Unlike some other meetup ‘groups’, we do not fill our events with fake members, and you can check how many people attend each week via our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon). **👋 How does it work?** * **Arrive!** No need to register, just come to our event any time between 7-9pm and our event host will welcome you. They will have an orange lanyard and will be sitting next to our sign. * **Write your ‘Language Label’.** Here you can write your name, the languages you are learning, and the languages you can help others with. * **Pay.** Our £1 event fee pays for our lovely event hosts and keeps the event going. Card only please. * **Get talking!** With the help of our host you will be able to find other people attending the event with compatible language interests - we are all very friendly and the majority of our attendees come alone, so there’s no need to worry about getting involved! **📌 Where are we?** We are normally at The Queens Head Holborn 64 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8SF. There are several Queens Head pubs so make sure you have the right one: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tEkiztRurEFEd6HK9 Always check the location on this meetup event and in our [WhatsApp Group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp) just in case there is a change. **💡 Important Info:** Please disregard the attendee numbers shown on Meetup or Facebook. Because we meet at the same time and place every week, many regulars do not sign up beforehand, but we always have a great turnout, often exceeding 50 people. We also have many more participants who join through other platforms. **🔗 Connect With Us:** Stay updated by joining our WhatsApp and Facebook groups or following us on Instagram. You’ll get event updates and stay connected with the community! [https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange](https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange) **FAQ:** **Who is this for?** Anyone interested in languages, from complete beginners to fluent speakers! We welcome all levels and languages. **Do I need to sign up?** You don’t need to sign up, but feel free to join our WhatsApp group for updates and announcements. **Can I come alone?** Absolutely! Many people come solo, and it’s a great way to meet new friends in a relaxed environment. **How does the event work?** When you arrive, you’ll get a sticker to write your native language and the one(s) you’d like to practice. Our hosts will help you find people to chat with based on your preferences. **What if I don’t speak multiple languages?** No problem! Whether you’re fluent or just starting out with a new language, everyone is welcome. **More Questions?** Check out our [full FAQ here](https://languagexchanges.com/what-is-a-language-exchange/) **💛 WHAT THEY SAY** **🗣** “It's so great that people are very friendly and nice here. I practised my English speaking and listening.” - Gerome 🗣 “The language exchange events are a really great way not just to practise languages but also to meet new people in your area. I’ve made many local friends since I moved to the area” - Monika 🗣 “Everything was perfect. The host was so friendly and wonderful!” - Mojtaba 🗣 "It was a lovely language exchange, with lovely people. I practised so much German!" - Sara **About Languagexchanges:** We started in Leeds back in 2014 with the desire to provide a welcoming space that brings people together from all different walks of life, with a shared love of learning languages and culture. We now have communities across the UK including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York - [see all our locations.](https://languagexchanges.com/product-category/events/) 👔 Interested in working with us? [https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/](https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/) ✍️ Feedback form: [https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback](https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback) 📩 Email: [info@languagexchanges.com](mailto:info@languagexchanges.com)

We’re doing a little after-work catch-up in central 💛✨ I’ll be there from 18:30, but come whenever you finish work - no pressure at all 😊 We’ll be at Caravan, Covent Garden for a relaxed evening to unwind, chat, and get to know each other a bit more. They’ve got cocktails, wine, coffee, hot drinks, and lots of great food 🍷☕️🍴 There’ll also be some board games if people fancy it 🎲 Come for one quick drink or stay for the evening - totally up to you. If you want dinner you can order there, but there’s zero expectation. Just a cosy, easy space to meet new people, catch up on the week, and enjoy good company 🤍 We’re usually wrapped up by around 20:30.

Welcome to Gaslighting Recognition & Recovery Group. **This is a peer-to-peer support group dedicated to recovery from emotional abuse.** **\*\*FOR ESTABLISHED MEMBERS \*\*** Imagine this scenario: Suppose your partner, parent or friend made a little joke at your expense, and it hurt your feelings. Perhaps you thought to yourself “I’ll let it slide because they probably didn’t mean it. Or maybe I just misunderstood. It’s just not worth the consequence of having this argument.” But as days and weeks pass, the buried emotions resurface, demanding to be dealt with. So you decide to express your feelings to this person, only to hear this response: *"Wow, you're so sensitive that I can't even joke with you anymore. I didn't mean it like that, but of course you need to make me look like a jerk. Why are you bringing this up NOW? I've moved on, but I guess you just can't let go of the past. I don't understand why you get offended so easily. You said you loved my sense of humor, but I guess my jokes just aren’t funny anymore. I mean, I could sensor myself for you, but how sad it is to be silenced and forbidden from being myself? You must not love me for who I am. You have sloppy habits and mental health issues, but I love you anyway. So why can't you just accept me for who I am? Maybe I should just go away. If you want me to go away, just tell me, and I will. Free yourself and finally be rid of me.”* This is a DARVO, and it's also gaslighting. It is word salad nonsense designed to leave you feeling confused, tongue tied and self-blaming. Although subtle and difficult to detect, gaslighting can present this way. Perpetrators are skilled in evading detection, and nearly impossible to identify without external support. Gaslighting isn’t “just a pop psychology term.” It’s a very real form of emotional manipulation that often flies under the radar because we’ve been conditioned to see it as normal. This is especially true if we grew up amidst toxic family dynamics. We’ve learned to doubt ourselves before questioning someone else’s behavior. We say, *“Maybe I’m just too sensitive.”* Or *“Maybe I’m overreacting.”* And that’s exactly how gaslighting works — it teaches us to question our intuition, doubt our own emotions, silence and shrink ourselves, making us more digestible for the other person. But no — you are not “too sensitive.” You are not “being defensive" or "unable to handle constructive criticism.” You are having a normal human response to emotional abuse. Gaslighting thrives in the disguise of normalcy, often framed as “care and concern” or “just trying to help”. And the first step in dismantling it is naming it for what it is: emotionally abusive. It’s not your fault, not imagined, and definitely not normal. This group is a safe space dedicated to supporting one another as we confront the faulty, gaslit self-concepts imposed upon us by others. Together, we can practice self-compassion, reclaim our voices and empower ourselves. This group offers support for every stage of recovery. This group runs 6PM EST- 7:30PM EST (5PM-6:30PM CST, 3PM-4:30PM PST AND 11PM-12:30AM BST) **every other Saturday** I did schedule this group with the assumption that those attending are well-versed in gaslighting but would still like to provide a brief definition for anyone who may be uncertain; *Gaslighting is an intentional, subtle, psychological manipulation tactic where the perpetrator plants seeds of doubt in the victim's mind. This leads the victim to question their perceptions, memories, feelings, abilities, and even their mental health. The perpetrator is often a person with high narcissistic **and*** *sociopathic traits. It’s designed to evade detection and is therefore one of the most insidious tools in the pathological narcissist's arsenal.* \*Important Notes\* ***If this is your first time here, please sign up for a First Timers event.*** ***This event is for established members only. You must have attended a First Timers event prior to signing up for this one. If you have not attended a First Timers event, you will be removed from the meeting.*** These meetings are to ensure the safety of our members and our hosts as we share sensitive details about our experiences. We also do this to ensure all new members will get a chance to share and introduce themselves right away, this is a way for us to properly meet each of you. Instructions are posted in the **First Timers** events and we appreciate your cooperation in advance! Please Review The Following Before Joining: I am a peer supporter, not a mental health professional, physician or attorney. Information shared in these groups is not to be construed as professional advice. * **Cameras must be ON.** If you need to briefly turn your camera off, please inform the host. If your camera remains off after being asked to turn it on, you will be removed from the meeting. * **Mute your microphones** unless it is your turn to speak. * **Raise your hand to share.** Shares will be heard in the order hands are raised. * **Offer advice ONLY when it’s explicitly asked for.** Supportive words of validation, understanding, and affirmation are encouraged. Unsolicited advice and tangential rants of personal opinions are not. * **If your think your share might trigger others, please advise the group with a trigger warning and wait a moment.** This moment of pause allows members the chance to mute their speakers. * **Manage triggers by muting your speakers** or taking a break from the meeting as needed. If you need to leave, the host will re-admit you as many times as necessary, no questions asked. * **Solicitation is prohibited.** Please refrain from pedaling products or services. * **Please refrain from contacting or DMing other members without prior approval from an organizer.** If you’ve connected with someone and would like to exchange contact information, reach out to an organizer, and we’ll facilitate the exchange. \*\*Although we care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our members, we are not equipped to intervene in crisis situations. ***IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT FEELS SUICIDAL OR UNSAFE, PLEASE DIAL 911 (US & CANADA) OR 999 IN THE UK. OR SEEK CARE AT YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.\*\**** Crisis Hotline: 988 (US)

As required by M&P the venue, so that we can give them final numbers, this meetup is now 'closed.' But we look forward to seeing folks next month for drinks at Comptons Thurs 4th Apr (full details: [https://www.meetup.com/london-gay-dads-meetup/events/312391447/](https://www.meetup.com/london-gay-dads-meetup/events/312391447/)) *** **Join for the 9th Annual Dinner!** M&P serve sensibly-priced delicious authentic Italian meals. Usually nice service too. The group’s size means as usual it’ll be their Large Group Seasonal Set Menu; while that’s pretty comprehensive, obviously it won’t include everything a la carte at [https://www.meleepere.co.uk/menus](https://www.meleepere.co.uk/menus), but if interested you get the idea there. As always, LGDM meets are 'fam-friendly' and +1s are very welcome. This year instead of a deposit, we're asking that in addition to RSPV-ing here on Meetup, you make a note to 'consciously' reconfirm a week beforehand (or otherwise go back into Meetup and decline!) your RSVP, that'd be on Sat 28th Feb, IF YOU RSVP 'Yes' and then NO SHOW even after this 28th Feb 'reconfirm', WE WILL BE CHARGED for you & you will be found to be in the Bad Boy Books! (We will of course send a reminder by email and WA in good time.) This is how Mere e Pele describe themselves: *"We are three brothers ... on a journey to create a genuine neighbourhood Trattoria reminiscent of the fabulous family-run places of northern Italy where we all grew up... We cook our seasonal menu with British produce and exceptional Italian ingredients. All of our pasta, pizza, desserts and ice-creams are made in our kitchen fresh every day and we prove our pizza dough for over 48 hours. Gluten free pasta is also available and we have plenty of vegan options too."*

Join us as we get together to see SIRAT, an Oscar-nominated Best International Film from Spain that follows a father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa. Here’s a description, trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A father, accompanied by his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco while searching for his daughter who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. As their search continues, the journey forces them to confront their own limits. The film is directed by Oliver Laxe and stars Sergi Lopez, Bruno Nunez Arjona and Richard Bellamy. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww-IXHXvS70 BUZZ & ACCLAIM: SIRAT has already won numerous awards, including 4 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, along with the Chicago, Montclair and Toronto International Film Festivals! It also earned a whopping 11 nominations at the 40th Goya Awards, including Best Film and Director, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is earning a stellar 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes which calls it “an unforgettable exercise in tension” and “a brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination.” PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and we’ll meet inside the upstairs lobby between 6:40 and 6:50pm. Super Tuesday ticket price is just $6.50 (including online fee)! Advance ticket purchase is advised (via Gateway website preferred). Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event! This one will be a “movie only” event. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

**Our March pick is *God of the Woods* by Liz Moore.** **This month’s novel is an award-winning literary mystery that blends family drama with psychological suspense. It explores women’s voices and relationships while delivering an exciting, eerie, and deeply suspenseful story. The book is 576 pages in print or 14 hours and 35 minutes on audiobook.** Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

**Adults Only** Roller Skating — Don’t Miss This We’re bringing back childhood — but this time it’s adults only. Music. Lights. Good vibes. **Beginner-friendly** No experience needed — just show up and roll. This is our first paid event so we can host bigger, better experiences going forward. Limited spots. Cross posted **20 rsvp max** ✅ Adults-only session ✅ Newbie friendly (help included) ✅ Great workout (burn up to 600 calories/hour) ✅ Possible drinks after Skate Zone 71 Meet 8:20 PM (arrive before 8:35) **You will still need $13 admission + $6 skate rental** (or bring your own) bring cash I can often get us a $2 discount!