How to Start an HIV Support Group

If you're living with HIV, you have many decisions to make regarding treatment options, care and lifestyle adjustments. While friends and family members can be helpful, they also can have a difficult time emotionally. A support group can help, offering you the opportunity to talk with other people who are living with HIV and understand what you are going through. If no groups exist in your area, consider starting one.

Instructions

• 1

  Find the right location to meet with your group. Churches, libraries and community centers are good places to try. They will often provide a meeting space for no charge. Make sure the space is handicapped accessible. Make sure the location is discreet; some members may not have shared their diagnosis with others and will appreciate coming to a space where their privacy is maintained. Don't hold meetings in your house unless you add liability coverage onto your homeowner's or rental property insurance policy. If someone were injured while attending your group, you could be held liable.

• 2

  Get the word out. Contact local agencies that support individuals with HIV/AIDS; they typically have newsletters in which you can advertise your group. Leave flyers about your group with local hospitals and doctors. Alert local newspapers and radio stations; the media reserves time and space for public service announcements. Since there is normally no charge to attend a support group, you should be able to get plenty of free advertising.

• 3

  Contact HIV/AIDS national groups; they sometimes have funds available to help you with startup costs for such items as chairs and refreshments. They also may be able to provide literature that you can hand out at your meetings. Some may have online resources where you can list your support group. See the links below for more information.

• 4

  Find speakers who can attract people to your HIV support group. Many local healthcare providers such as physical therapists, nurses, massage therapists, exercise/yoga instructors and others may be willing to volunteer their time to address your group. Speakers can offer your members advice to help them manage their conditions.

• 5

  Recruit volunteers. Running a successful HIV support group takes time and energy. For instance, you need someone to ready the meeting place for your group. Someone must be in charge of returning phone calls and emails from potential members. Yet another individual should be responsible for providing refreshments. You can find volunteers through the local HIV organizations that are helping you spread the word about your group.

• 6

  Structure your group. Set clear guidelines and rules, and verbalize them at the start of every meeting. Enforce a time limit on sharing, using a timer if necessary, so that one person does not dominate your group. Give everyone equal time, and then go back to members if extra time is available. Make sure your members know you are not a replacement for professional medical help. Be open to adjusting the guidelines when necessary.