Cactus Counselling

The Cactus Childfree Discussion Group

Welcome to the information page for the Cactus Childfree Discussion Group, as seen in:

What is the Cactus Childfree Discussion Group?

This is a discussion group specifically designed to offer a space in which to explore your feelings around childlessness and childfreedom. It doesn't matter whether you're childless and are considering embracing a life without children, on the fence, or happily childfree, the group is for everyone!

This group falls somewhere between a therapeutic group and a social group: it's meant for more sensitive or sincere discussion than a social, but it's not strictly speaking therapy. I hold the group as a safe, boundaried environment for you to discuss anything related to childfreedom. It differs from other Bristol-based childfree groups in that it's mixed: many are women-only. Mine is open to men - and is trans-inclusive.

There is no cost to join; it's free, and will run for 1 hour.

I'll be the group's leader. I'm not here to convince anybody either to have, or not have, children; your choice is yours and I respect that. The group is designed to be a dedicated time and space for you to explore various aspects of childfreedom; I will offer prompts if required, but often, the discussions start organically!

Feel free to read more about my own history and feelings around children and childfreedom here.

When, Where, and Other Details

The group is free. I aim to run at least one online, and one in-person group at any one time. Each group can have a maximum of 8 people. Both groups are currently mixed, but as I advertise on Bristol Womens' Voice I aim to run a womens' only group.

Online Group
This group is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evening of every month at 7pm to 8pm. It's a thoroughly mixed group with men and women (everyone else is welcome, too!), singletons and couples, people of different ages, and different cultural and ethnic backgrounds - not to mention a mix of childless, childfree, and fence-sitters. Come and see if the group is right for you!

I will send the Zoom invitation for this group on the morning of the session. Alternatively, feel free to join via Meetup.

In Person Group
I'll be setting up an in-person group soon. Watch this space!

Grandchildfreedom

As I said before, there are a few childfree groups around, but to the best of my knowledge, there's no such thing as a space for parents of adult children who don't, and don't want, grandchildren. As of the summer of 2025 I'm experimenting with offering a Meetup Zoom group for grandchildfree people. If you fit this description, swing by and book in for the next available session. I'll be happy to meet you!