Pain Cafes
Pain Cafes are welcoming, safe community spaces designed for people living with chronic pain. They provide a “skills not pills” approach to self-management, offering peer support, opportunities to share experiences, and activities to improve wellbeing.
Participants say that sessions help them because they do not have to pretend to be okay and can support each other without judgement.
Sessions are often informal and led by Social Prescribers, health coaches, peer volunteers with lived experience, or healthcare professionals. Typical activities include:
- education: many Pain Cafes follow the Ten Footsteps self-management programme, dedicating time to discussing specific steps like pacing, nutrition, or sleep
- movement: most sessions include gentle movement, which can be performed seated or standing, to help build confidence in being active
- peer support: a major focus is on building connections to reduce the isolation often felt with chronic pain. Participants can laugh, cry, and support each other without judgement
- guest speakers: cafes sometimes host specialist pain nurses, physiotherapists, or psychologists to share expert insights, or community or voluntary sector group leaders.
How to access Pain Cafes?
Ask your GP or doctor’s surgery staff to make a referral on your behalf.
There are also online group-based communities if you’re unable to attend a Pain Cafe in person. Pain Concern is a charity which provides a dedicated peer support community.
