How to set up a new Cuidiú Cork meet / Playgroup

Tell them:

• You’d like to set up a meetup in your area.

• What kind you have in mind (coffee morning, buggy walk, cafe meet, book club, etc.).

• Your location and days / times that suit you.

• That you’re happy to volunteer to host or help run it.

Your Cuidiú Cork Area Rep will reply with:

• Confirmation of your  current Cuidiú Family Membership.

• A short info pack for hosts (Cuidiú event guidelines).

• Help with setting up and advertising your meetup.

• Insurance and safety info (if needed).

• Coffee Morning - usually is someone home or café - Focus is social chat, support and community.

• Playgroup - usually in a Community hall - Offering Playtime for kids + parent chats.

• Buggy Walk / Walk & Chat - usually in a local Park, beach, or walkway - This one is all about fresh air, social walk + coffee & cakes!

• Parent Support Meetup - these are typically held in a Library or community room, and would centre on focused topics (e.g. breastfeeding, sleep, parenting support).

• Book Clubs / Craft Meets & a wide variety of others - can be online or held locally, share with us your ideas of what you'd love to get involved with.

Depending on your preferred meetup type:

• Home - simple, free, friendly, your Cuidiú Family membership covers insurance.

• Community space - check local halls, libraries, or cafés with play areas to determine their availability and costs.

• Outdoor - choose a buggy-friendly, safe walking route, easy to find and with parking and accessible toilets if possible.

Decide on:

• Day / time - weekday mornings are popular.

• Duration - usually 1-2 hours.

• Recurrence - weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

• Cost: Cuidiú has set rates depending on the event type - your Area Rep will guide you on this, generally:
~ €3 for Cuidiú members / €5 for non-members for venue-based meets.
~ Free for Cuidiú members / €3 for non-members for home meets.

• Hosting - Decide who will host or lead each session (rotate if possible).

Once the details are confirmed, the Committee team will create posters and online visuals and will spread the word via:

• The Cuidiú Cork website event listings.

• Facebook & Instagram pages. 

• WhatsApp Community and area groups.

• You can also share the poster in other local community groups and put up a posters within the area to help spread the word.

On the Day

• Relax and enjoy - this is all about having fun and making new friends!

• We are a team, please do ask for help with co-hosting / support if you feel a little nervous. 

• Arrive early to set up.

• Take photos of the set up to share for future promotion. 

• Welcome people warmly (especially newcomers).

• Explain how it works and have everyone sign in on the Cuidiú sign in sheets (self-help, everyone tidies up, bring snacks, etc.).

• Keep things relaxed - the goal is connection, not perfection.

• Take note of what works (space, time, numbers).

• Rotate hosting or co-hosting with another volunteer.

• Tell us how it’s going, we love to share success stories.

Cuidiú Cork already runs meetups like:

• Ballinlough buggy walk

• Blackrock Toddlebums 

• East Cork “Sleeping Bunnies” playgroup

• Douglas and Wilton coffee mornings

We would love volunteers to come onboard to help continue running existing groups and set up new groups, we have spaces for book clubs, craft clubs and many more and would love people to help set these up.   We’re always happy to support new local organisers – especially in areas that don’t yet have a regular meetup.