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Step 1 – Starting Your Support Group

What is a Support Group?

A Support Group (also known as a mutual aid or self help group) is a tool for the empowerment of individuals who share common issues and are challenged by similar life situations. By coming together, people can provide mutual support and take the steps necessary to make positive changes in their lives.

Support Groups become banks of knowledge and experience, enabling people to cope and solve problems. Feelings of self worth are increased, isolation is reduced and doors of opportunity and optimism are opened. Support Groups also provide an important community service by raising awareness through education, advocacy and campaigning for changes to laws and policies.

Support Groups are run for and by their members. Members determine what they need and how their needs can best be met.

Support Groups can address a number of issues such as:

• Addiction,
• Health,
• Ethnicity,
• Abuse,
• Relationships,
• Grief,
• Sexuality,
• Mental health,
• Life transitions,
• Rare medical conditions.

Research indicates that Support Groups may improve the psychological wellbeing of participants and, in some cases, has resulted in a reduction of the use of medication and hospitalisation.

Anyone can start a Support Group

It does not require special skills or training and there are no legal, insurance or financial obligations involved in bringing people together to support each other.

Support Groups are started by people directly affected by or recovering from a situation, and they want to help others experiencing the same challenge. Service providers also start Support Groups to address the needs of their target community. Often Support Groups work best if they are kept simple and informal, and can work very well when they are used in conjunction with other services in the community

Why start a Support Group?

• To overcome personal hardship and to improve your quality of life
• To meet needs not being met within the community
• To meet with other people in a similar situation
• To bring about change through advocacy or campaigning
• To empower yourself and others
• To help yourself and others by learning new ways of dealing with the issue
• To create the opportunity to take control of your life
• To gain inspiration and support by sharing personal experiences and coping strategies
• To create awareness and understanding of the issue

Starting a group can place demands on your time, family, social life and possibly your finances. You might have to cope emotionally with other people's issues as well as your own.

Before you start a group, think ahead and be clear about how much time, energy and resources you have available.

It is important to focus your ideas on what kind of group you hope to develop. Find out if there is already an established Support Group surrounding the issue. If so, talk to the contact person or attend a meeting. Groups involved with the same issue may have different aims and objectives. One group may lobby for change, while another exists to provide information and mutual support.

Talk to other people who have started Support Groups.

You will get an idea of what is involved and can then decide if it is a commitment you are willing to make. Lastly, talk to other people, including service providers and professionals to determine if there is a need for this type of Support Group.

If you decide you are ready to start a group, ConnectGroups can help.

We provide free one on one support by providing ideas, information and resources. We encourage and guide you through the group establishment process, and continue to assist you as your group grows and develops. We also want to include your group in our Online Directory so Contact us now for further assistance or to find out how your group can be listed. – Click Here

Where Do I Begin?

Once you have decided to start a Support Group, take your time, as there is no need to get things done quickly. Six weeks is adequate time to get a good response and to be prepared.

• Define the Key Issue that the group members will meet to discuss and share
  Is it a health condition, a disability, a social issue or an abuse issue?
  
  
• Decide who is likely to be involved in getting the group started
  Will you call on a health professional to facilitate the group? Is it a group of parents who see a need in the community?
  
  
• Create a Statement of Purpose and the Aims and Objectives
  A Statement of Purpose is a brief description of the group’s fundamental purpose, i.e. why do we exist? The aims and objectives are a list of things that the group would like to achieve, such as offering mutual support, providing information or raising public awareness.
  
  
• Consider the Costs Involved
  • Phone calls
  • Refreshments
  • Postage
  • Venue hire
  • Flyers
    
    
• Seek Assistance where Possible
  • Approach your local Member of Parliament (MP) to ask for assistance with photocopying and administration.
  • Ask for a small donation at meetings.
  • Contact your local council, as many fund causes that benefit local residents.
  • Approach your local church, council office, or library and ask for the donation of a room.
    
    
• Pick a name for your group
  Try to make the name interesting, inviting and relevant to the issue.
  
  
• Set and Confirm a Meeting Date and Time
  Think of the availability of your target group when planning your meeting.
  
  
• Book the Venue.
  Things to Consider:
  • How close is the venue to public transport?
  • If an evening meeting, are the parking area and the venue well lit and safe?
  • Do you need to provide crèche facilities?
  • Is access available for people in wheelchairs or with disabilities?
  • Do you require facilities or equipment such as a kitchen, DVD player or a whiteboard?
    
    
• Establish a Contact Person
  A contact person is the first line of communication between the public and the group. He or she answers questions about the group, gives details about meetings, and provides support to interested callers. Being a contact person is not always easy, so having two or more contact people helps to share the load. As a contact person, set aside certain times of the day for contact. If people phone outside these times, consider using a message bank and return calls during your designated hours.
  
  
• Decide on some Group Activities
  Will you hold organised social outings, have guest speakers, exchange personal experiences, campaign for change or discuss the latest research?
  
  
• Members – Who are they?
  It is important to establish criteria for membership. Some people may want to invite family and friends for support, while others may only want to meet with people in situations similar to their own. It is important to first identify the group’s purpose and then go about attracting new members through advertising and word of mouth. In the early stages of the group’s development, discuss the criteria for membership, openly inviting input from all the members. Depending on the issue, it may also be necessary to produce a Disclaimer to give to all members.
  
  
• Group Size
  The issue faced by the group usually determines its size. Sensitive issues may require the group to be kept small or closed in order to provide comfort and safety for group members. Common issues may allow for a larger, more open structure. Finding a balance means, once again, consulting the group members.
  
  
• Group Meeting Structures
  Formal group structures involve official proceedings such as those associated with committees, are generally hierarchical and rely on a select few to make decisions. Informal structures allow all members to make decisions and alternative structures involve single purpose groups, such as lobby and affirmative action groups, telephone support, e-mail, internet, and letter-writing groups.

On to Step 2 - Finding Group Members & Getting Going