Frequently Asked Questions
About Groups
What is a self help group?
Who runs the groups and services?
How do I become a group member?
Will I have to tell the group about my experiences?
Can I just turn up?
Tell me more about the group ‘facilitators’
I feel quite nervous about coming along for the first time
Will I have to attend every week?
Our self-help support groups provide a safe place for people living with any anxiety or social phobia related disorders, to meet and talk together in a mutually supportive atmosphere. The groups offer a safe, non-judgemental space for people to discuss their life experiences and to exchange advice. Essentially, the group aims to break isolation and gives people the opportunity to take control of their own lives and manage their problems.
The groups are open to all and our members are from all walks of life with a variety of experiences relating to anxiety.
We already have in existence a diverse range of support groups and services. At the moment the majority of our groups run on a ‘drop-in’ basis where people have the opportunity to meet others and talk in a mutually supportive atmosphere. These groups range from focusing on specific mental health issues to groups more socially orientated in nature.
Self Help Services’ support groups provide a free space for people to discuss life experiences and to exchange advice/coping strategies. Essentially the self-help groups help to break isolation and provide people with the opportunity to take control of their own lives and manage their own problems.
A self-help group is an excellent way to meet others who have been through similar experiences. In meeting others, the isolation that so many of us feel, is inevitably relieved.
At a Self Help Services self-help group you can be certain that everything you and others discuss will be kept in the strictest confidence and that you can meet others in a safe and understanding environment. Often attending a group is a good way to find out how others have coped; what worked for them etc. as well as enabling you to develop relationships with others who really do ‘understand’.
In addition, Self Help Services also coordinates structured support groups delivered by qualified voluntary therapists/psychologists who have personal experience with the issues involved with their group. Over a number of weeks the facilitators of these groups deliver a range of therapies most beneficial to their client group. Therapies include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Social Skills Training for Anger Management, Social Anxiety Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Volunteers are essential to Self Help Services as they are the people who deliver the groups and services.
Self Help Services strongly believes in user-led services, therefore facilitators of the support groups are not experts, but group members who have experienced the same issues a particular group deals with. Facilitators dedicate two hours a week to their group; making sure each person has time to talk, advertise the group and provide refreshments. Most importantly, the volunteers empower members of the community to help themselves.
All volunteers are fully supervised, have undertaken an enhanced criminal record disclosure check and are provided with on-going training. Volunteers receive support, line management and regular external supervision from Self Help Services. All volunteers undertake a programme of mandatory training, which includes facilitation & boundary skills training, dealing with difficult situations and mental health awareness training. Self Help Services encourages personal development, therefore all facilitators have the opportunity to take advantage of in-house training programmes and courses provided by external training providers. Additionally, many facilitators undertake further in-depth training in their area of work/interest.
The structured self-help support groups (Anger Management, Sociability, BPD Skills Training) and the complementary therapy services are all delivered by fully qualified practitioners, therapists or teachers who have personal experience with mental-ill health and extensive experience working with in the field of mental health.
How do I become a group member?
You simply turn up, there is no appointment or referral necessary. The group is completely confidential.
Will I have to tell the group about my experiences?
No. There is no pressure to talk about anything you don’t feel comfortable with. Some of our group members simply listen to other peoples’ experiences around anxiety and offer their support. It is the choice of the individual member when they are ready to talk.
Can I just turn up?
Although the group operates on a drop-in basis, we do ask that where possible members arrive for the start of the group and stay for the full session in order to avoid disruption and show respect to others who may be talking about difficult situations. However, if you do need to leave earlier, please inform the group on arrival.
Tell me more about the group ‘facilitators’
The groups are facilitated by people who have themselves been affected by anxiety. The facilitators work on a voluntary basis and receive support, line management and regular external supervision from Self Help Services. Also, the facilitators have on-going training for personal development and have undertaken an enhanced Criminal Record Check.
I feel quite nervous about coming along for the first time
It is natural to feel nervous, but please try to be reassured that everyone feels like this initially. The group is friendly and supportive and will offer you a warm welcome. Please remember that the people in the group have a personal understanding of anxiety and the issues involved.
Will I have to attend every week?
Not at all. Some people attend the group as and when they need support and many attend regularly. It is the personal choice of the group member when they wish to attend.