How to Start a Support Group in Your Community

Most cities have hundreds of support groups at schools, community centers and religious institutions, but that doesn't mean you can't start your own support group in your community. Support groups are excellent ways for people sharing the same disease, disorder or experience to compare notes and help one another cope.

The first step you need to take when starting a support group in your community is to identify demand. Are there enough people in your community suffering from the same affliction to warrant a support group? In some cases -- such as with a rare disease -- this may mean only three or four people, some of whom might not want to participate. In others, you might find thousands of people who would like to reach out to others.

If the support group will have a large demand in your community, it might take more than just your efforts to get it off the ground. For example, support groups must be held somewhere, which means finding adequate space in which to hold meetings. You'll also need to provide refreshments at each of your gatherings and have someone to lead the meetings.

Starting a support group in your community is a great idea, but it's much more work than you might have previously thought.

Send Out Flyers
You might want to send out flyers to people in your community who might be interested. Ask people who would consider participating to RSVP with their contact information and whether or not they would be able to help establish the support group. Make sure you indicate whether the support group is just for people with a specific affliction or if it is also open to family members and friends.

Attend Other Support Groups
If you aren't sure how to start a support group in your community, attend others that have already been established. This can give you a better understanding of the support group forum and how the meetings are led. That way, you'll be better prepared to counsel those who attend your own support group. Remember that they are usually informal and are conducted according to the needs of the members, so keep flexibility in mind.

Organize an Introductory Meeting
Once you have a list of people who are interested, organize an introductory meeting so that members can meet one another and you can discuss and vote on preferences. For example, will members have to sign an attendance sheet or will the meetings be completely anonymous? What about privacy and confidentiality issues -- how will they be protected?

Don't Force the Issue
The purpose of starting a support group in your community is to provide a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for people of similar experiences. It isn't to "fix" everyone's problems or to promote any particular agenda. Some people who attend support groups will be silent for the first few meetings, which is perfectly normal. Others will be particularly vocal and might try to overrun the meeting, which is why a moderator is a good thing to have.

Locate Potential Funding Sources
Some support groups are so informal that they require no funding whatsoever, but if you are starting a support group in conjunction with a non-profit organization, you'll have to locate potential sources of funding. Local businesses, personal donations, social services, grant committees and service clubs are all prospects, so discuss how you might approach these people during your first few meetings.