What is a Self Help Group?

Self Help groups provide safe and supportive environments where people can meet and exlore their feelings, hopes and fears in a non-judgemental atmosphere and help develop coping strategies.

Who can join?

Anyone over 18 who has mental health problems and would benefit from attending. We prefer people to self refer, but will take referrals from others providing they have the service users permission to do so. The group facilitator will meet with you to check that you would benefit from attending and explain mfore about the group.

How does a self help group run?

Our self help groups are run in a non-directive way, respecting each member's views. They have the support of a group facilitator who ha undergone training and receives support from our Project Manager.

Our aim is that all self help groups are user-led, the group members making decisions about how their group runs.

Will it be confidential?

Issues, thoughts, feelings or any subjects that are discussed within the group should be kept confidential to that group. This is very important to people and is usually one fo the first rules to be listed when a new group starts. We recognise that people need to feel safe before they share their thoughts, confidentiality is one way of doing this?

How might it help me?

Sometimes it's just helpful to talk to someone that maybe going through the same or similar experiences as you.

It can also be reassuring simply to talk to people who know how it feels, because they've been there and not just read it in a textbook. At the same time it can be very satisfying to know that by sharing your experiences you may be helping someone else.

If you would like more information or want to discuss joining a group please contact Lynn Carrivick, our group facilitator on 01502 561200.