How to Create a Support Group

Support groups can be valuable resources for people facing challenges such as illness, disability, loss of loved ones, family issues, or other special situations. People often look to support groups to share resources and deal with feelings of isolation caused by their situation. You can empower yourself and help others by creating support where members will find a safe place for sharing.

Instructions

• 1

  Define the group's purpose.

  Before you begin planning for your support group, you need to define the purpose of the group. What specific issues will your support group address? How narrow is the focus? For example, will the group be open to all single parents, or only divorced fathers? What will the group provide? Will the group meetings focus solely on sharing and encouragement between members, or will you concentrate on education and community awareness? A clearly defined mission will help you stay focused and clearly evaluate your group's needs.

• 2

  Evaluate community needs.

  Research the existing support groups in your area. If there is already a support group for a similar issue, you may be better served by joining the existing group. For example, if there is an active group of cancer survivors, it may be unnecessary to form a new group specifically for survivors of one type of cancer. You can find support groups in your area by checking with doctors' offices and hospitals, contacting schools and colleges, searching the phone book, searching the Internet, or contacting national advocacy organizations.

• 3

  Do your research.

  Though each support group is different, there are some common characteristics of successful groups. First, successful support groups are organized and structured. If you've never attended a support group, visit a few local meetings to see how the group is maintained. Is there a moderator or discussion leader? How are meetings structured? Who handles communication between members, i.e., meeting schedules, contact information, announcements, etc.? How is the group financed? Most groups will be glad to share their tips for success and answer any questions you may have. Try to acquaint yourself with other local groups so you'll have someone to turn to when you need help starting your group.

• 4

  Identify resources.

  The most important resource for any support group is a meeting location. Churches, community centers, and libraries typically offer meeting spaces for free. Be sure to choose a location that is centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation.

  Most support groups can be maintained for little expense, but you may need to budget for printing, copying, mailing, and other administrative functions. There are many possibilities open to support groups. Will you charge a small membership fee? Can you apply for grants from charities and community groups? Could you hold fund-raising events? Discuss funding options with your group members and brainstorm for ideas.

• 5

  Plan for the future.

  Members are the central focus, and the most important resource of any group. Group members will be more committed to the group when they feel involved. Encourage each member to contribute his or her talents. You may have members with experience in public speaking, advertising, writing, graphic design, web design, or any number of other fields that can help your group run smoothly. Any functions that can be performed by group members will save time and money in the long run.

  To remain effective, a group should be open to change. As the needs of group members change, the group structure should change with it. For example, a group of ten people would run meetings in a different format than a group of fifty members. As community demographics, resources, and challenges shift, so should the focus and structure of your support group.