How to Start a Support Group 5/12/2010
Support groups provide the means for people in similar situations or with similar concerns to connect with each other to support one another and share ideas.
Things to Consider
- Starting a support group can take much time and energy. There are some things to consider before you start. The suggestions below are provided as guidelines only. Is there already a support group in existance that addresses your needs?
- Do you have the time and energy to handle the extra demands of starting and keeping a support group going?
- How will your group be structured? Will your group be independant or part of a larger organization?
- Are there other people or organizations who can help you?
- What community resources are available to help you? Where will you hold meetings? Is there a local church, school, or other public forum building where you can hold meetings?
- Is there a community newspaper that will allow you to advertise the support group for free?
- Are there any community professionals who can provide topical advice and information? Check with local schools, hospitals, and other organizations that service your target member.
Steps to Take
Here are some suggested steps to take to get your group started -
- Visit support groups with similar concerns. Talk with experienced group leaders. Find out what they have found to be most effective.
- Obtain how-to packages from established groups. Contact a self-help clearinghouse for information on how to start a support group. Check the internet.
- Find out about available community resources. Seek out opportunities to create strategic partnerships. Find out about potential funding sources. Service clubs community and social service agencies, businesses grant-awarding agencies, and foundations, professional associations, gifts in kind
- Donations from individuals, families, bequests
- Form an organizing committee. Arrange a planning meeting. Establish the group's focus. Define the aims and objectives of the group. Decide who can join the group. Define the group's relationship with professionals.
- Establish the purpose of the first meeting. Arrange a meeting to launch the group. Publicize the launch meeting. Target potential members
- Collect resource information and materials to display or exchange at the launch.
- Select a group leader or rotating schedule of leaders and/or facilitators.
- Establish clear ground rules: Confidentiality — Keep discussions between group members only.
- Respect — Let each person speak without interruption.
- Guest speakers — Keep introductions short; let guest speakers present their topics.
- Patience — Be patient towards group members, especially those in need.
- Constructive discussion — Confine group discussions to issues and coping strategies specific to the group. Deal with external matters privately.
- Group ownership — It's your group. Speak out, be respectful, stay on track.
- Finish meetings on time but let attendees arrive as they can.
- Select a meeting place, schedule and meeting format.
- Hold regular meetings.
- Solicit feedback from members on the effectiveness of the group.
- Make group decisions about changes, as necessary.
Questions to Ask
Once the group starts, here are things to consider -
- Is the meeting content relevant to the members' needs?
- Is the meeting location convenient and accessible to the majority of members? Is the meeting schedule adequate for members?
- Are members satisfied with the conduct of the group? Are members satisfied with their level of participation in the group? Have the members' needs changed?
- How will the group publicize its availability to potential new members?
Tips
- Step up a support system and network for your members in between meetings. Hand out lists of phone numbers and email addresses. Encourage your members to talk with each other in between meetings.
- Contact local professionals about being a guest speaker.
- Give your support group at least 2 months to get going. In the beginning members may come and go but if you keep at it, you will eventually have a small core group that is always there.
- Keep injecting fresh ideas, new guest speakers and have a written plan for each meeting to keep everyone on track. Keep it lively and interesting so the members look forward to getting together.
- Observe time limits. Start on time and end on time so that members feel you are reliable and if they should have babysitters, they will be able to work with them easier.
- Be up front if no child care is available, let members know ahead of time if children are welcome and if not, don't start making exceptions.
- Be prepared to have you or your co-leaders do most of the speaking at the first few meetings until your members begin to feel comfortable with each other.
- Free space can sometimes be found at the local school, churches, non-profit and social agencies or at member's homes.
- Place chairs in a circle and close enough that all members can hear.