How to Form & Organize a Support Group

Group members can help support each other.

If you live in a smaller community you may not be able to find a support group to fit your specific situation. If that happens, you can form and organize your own support group. Support groups allow members to connect with other individuals who are going through the same thing they are. Members can encourage each other and share tips that they have learned along the way.

Things You'll Need

• Location
• Radio ad
• Newspaper ad
• Refreshments

Instructions

1. Secure a location that can accommodate your meetings that is free or fairly inexpensive. A local church or library would be ideal. If the support group is health related, you may even be able to secure a hospital meeting room. Make sure the room is available on a certain day each month for your meetings (such as every third Wednesday of the month).

2. Decide how many members you are willing to have. Many support groups run best with under 30 members. More than 30 members can make it uncomfortable for some individuals to share their feelings or ideas.

3. Call your local radio stations and ask them to run a radio ad (this is a public service announcement and should be free). Make sure you give them a phone number to call for further information. This way you can track how many people have signed up so you don't go over your chosen number. Once you reach that number you can cancel the ad.

4. Place an ad in your local paper. Again, you want to list a phone number so you can keep track of how many members you have signed up.

5. Designate how the meeting time will be spent. Meetings should always start and end on time so it is important to be organized. You need to set a block of time for socializing, sharing, and planning.

6. Bring refreshments. A few donuts and some coffee is all you really need. This creates a comfortable atmosphere and sets the tone for members to contribute to the meeting.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit a few support groups to see how they are run. This can help you plan your own support group meetings.

• Assign roles at the first or second meeting. Have a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer can help future meetings run more smoothly.

• Make sure every member understands that what is said in the meeting stays in the meeting. When confidentiality is broken, group members will no longer be willing to share openly.

References

• Self Help Network: Principles for Organizing Community Support Groups
• National Me/FM Action Network: Starting a Support Group