Question 1

What is the purpose of Ara Mekân?

Accepted Answer

Ara Mekân is built on five core principles: inclusivity, privacy, consent, mutual respect, and sustainability.We believe that every individual's story is unique and deserves to be met with acceptance, without judgement. We view the experience of migration not as a deficiency, but as a life experience rich in meaning and transformation. While celebrating this transitional phase, we connect with one another through consensual sharing that respects personal boundaries.We do not see an individual's well-being as separate from their physical environment. In our workshops, we minimise plastic use, use renewable energy, serve vegan snacks, choose craft materials that do not produce microplastics, and opt for recycled paper. We try to extend the same care to our planet and all living beings as we do to one another. Our aim is to create a space that is inclusive and rooted in solidarity... One that bridges the depth of science with the freedom of art.In this context, we do not tolerate any form of racism, anti-Semitism, sexism or Queerphobia.

Question 2

Who can benefit from the services offered at Ara Mekân?

Accepted Answer

Ara Mekân is a psychological counselling and community platform designed primarily for adults with first- or second-generation migration experiences. In addition to psychological counselling services, I offer well-being groups, art-based mindfulness workshops, community gatherings and themed cultural events.Anyone with a migration background in Hamburg, as well as anyone who believes in the value of cultural diversity, is welcome to join us.If our events pique your interest and spark your curiosity, our doors are open. I would be delighted if your path were to lead you to Ara Mekân in some way. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Question 3

Is it a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people?

Accepted Answer

While creating a space that feels completely safe for everyone is a worthwhile aspiration, in practice it requires ongoing collective effort. Wherever people come together, the possibility of unconscious bias or hurtful moments exists. With that awareness, Ara Mekân is a safer space where everyone is welcome regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and where each person is free to simply be themselves, without judgement. We hold the understanding that safety is a process, and we protect this space together.Our Core CommitmentsZero Tolerance: No form of hate speech, discriminatory language or harassment is tolerated.Inclusivity: Every person's identity, self-expression and personal boundaries are fundamental and cannot be questioned.Shared Responsibility: Everyone who participates in events and uses the services commits to upholding this environment of trust.Intervention: In the event of any violation, the necessary steps will be taken decisively to protect the well-being of the community.

Question 4

Is it suitable for people with neurodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are delighted to work with individuals who have ADHD, autism spectrum disorders or other neurodiversities. The agenda for each event you attend will be emailed to you one day before the event date; you will also find the same agenda on a handout at the start of the event. You are free to take a break whenever you need to, and you may leave the events at any time. Ara Mekân is situated in an environment with soundproofing, adjustable LED lighting, HEPA-filtered air purifiers, and a temperature that remains cool in summer and warm in winter. We have a terrace and a quiet corner available for you to use should you feel the need to rest or calm down. In addition, we provide noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, hot water bottles, various cushions, and silicone fidget toys to help manage sensory overload. Furthermore, if you have any specific requests regarding the format of the event you are attending, the communication style, or the layout of the space, I would recommend sharing these in advance. Services might be tailored to the participant’s needs and preferences if possible.

Question 5

Do you have a specific approach for individuals with a history of trauma?

Accepted Answer

All services are delivered using a trauma-informed approach, in line with the principles of psychological counselling and guidance. This means there is no obligation to share. You are always free to skip an exercise, remain silent, or simply listen. Each participant engages with the process according to their own readiness. If there’s a point you’re struggling with, you don’t have to say it out loud; you can let me and the group know by holding up one of the non-verbal signs on your desk.In group settings, sharing something that may be triggering for others (at a moment when they are not ready, or without their prior consent) can affect the experience of the whole group. I kindly ask that sensitive sharings be made with an awareness of the group as a whole. This is not about restricting anyone; it is about creating a space where everyone's boundaries are respected.

Question 6

What kind of space do you offer for those experiencing loss or grief?

Accepted Answer

At Ara Mekân, we provide a safe, non-judgemental and unhurried space for dealing with not just death, but also any sense of loss arising from migration, the end of relationships or life's major changes. Here, we take a grief-aware approach. Rather than pressuring you to move on from your grief, we support you in learning to live with it and make sense of it as part of your life.We acknowledge the non-linear, fluctuating nature of grief. In both individual and group sessions, we create a space where you can simply be with the emptiness brought on by loss. We believe that grief is neither something to be rushed nor a 'problem to be solved', but rather a process to be lived through.We value everyone who participates in our group activities and shares this grief-aware approach. We encourage everyone to approach one another's space, boundaries, and emotional journeys with compassion.

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