Powerful Peer LEd Groups. How to Start Yours…
Peer LEd Groups (LE is often used for Lived Experience) are mutual learning, self-help groups that make wellness and recovery happen! Informal Peer Support is powerful and meaningful for social connection and learning.
What do you need to know when starting your group?
First, Peer groups are non-professional practical support groups that help Peers understand themselves better through the interactions with others. It’s mutual, sharing, not someone in charge of controlling everything…. They are generally small, and formatted as a discussion group with weekly topics that may be decided by the group with you in the role of Facilitator - creating engagement, and providing gentle leadership.
Second, there are different kinds of groups.
1. curriculum-based (deepen understanding of a subject) 2. study-based (such as a book club with a reading list) 3. opened or closed meetings - or a highbred combination of these (Alcoholics Annoymous is a good example of these.)
Start with a catchy name for your group.
After that, decide who will be the facilitator. It’s a good idea to have a co-facilitator as well In case of absence. You may want rotating facilitators (such as for a period of three months). This avoids potential burnout, as does having someone else do the administrative work.
Are there role duties to divide up? For example: Set up, take down, clean-up of a live group space? Administrative duties, such as managing email attendee information, and taking/sending meeting minutes (notes on what was discussed).
Learning how to facilitate
Learning how to facilitate takes into account how to handle ‘hostile’ attendees, or conflict; how to manage an online group; and deciding/learning what online platform to use. If yours is an in-person group, where will the group for meet, and the size of the group are important considerations. Peer Support group Facilitators at Peer House Toronto can support you to get started as a Facilitator, and help you grow your group when you are ready.
A group Safety and Comfort Agreement is great to set the groundwork for equal opportunity among the group members for participation in a non-judgement group culture. There are even short videos available to help teach the group to communicate in a way that is supportive of all of the voices (shy to long winded) attending. Confidentiality of group discussion may be very important to your group members. A reminder at the beginning of each group helps assure protection of other group members stories and information.
When the group gets off topic in discussion reel them back in. Say, for example, “come on everybody, we have a topic were interested in.” Take breaks as needed, such as halfway through your group time for 10 minutes or 15 minutes.
As a facilitator, be comfortable being assertive. Online, a co-facilitator can support a person privately, help with tech, and physically put someone in the waiting room if they are disrupting.
In-person spaces to meet can include community spaces such as senior citizen centers, college campuses, mental health centers…. If using a faith based centre is an option, consider any barriers to community in the space. Consider parking and wheelchair access availability. Is food allowed? Are there tech supports such as a screen for slide projection? And is it a safe space for attendees?
Activities the group will participate in is another consideration to plan for as next steps.
Do supplies need donations from group members? Or are there incentives offered to attend the group such as child care or a financial honourarium. Are seeking donations for group supplies possible and what time, travel or storage will that take?
Consistency of group meetings, and communication to group members are essential for group success.
Give plenty of notice for any changes in schedule. Group attendance may take 3 to 6 months to regulate.
Marketing your group and how to do that is a consideration. Flyers in community centres supermarkets Starbucks our options but targeting your audience in spaces they attend regularly may be the best approach. If your group supports a specific population such as a medical issue contact doctors in your area who deal with that issue to help you advertise your support group to their patients. Connect with organizations to advertise your group Through their social media or electronic newsletters. Meet up is a group for groups! A space for diverse groups to advertise.
If your group is stigma related make sure online social media posts protect the confidentiality of group members. Create a calendar for meetings and consider a phone tree if cancellations due to weather.
It is helpful to read your mission statement at the start of every group. This can change and evolve as your group Becomes more specific or broader. A check in with each person in the group at the start is a great icebreaker to connect everyone and open people up. Consider interesting and fresh ideas for your icebreaker.
Once again, start with initial rules such as confidentiality, respecting boundaries, and suspending judgment. Remember nothing about us without us is what said in the group stays in the group unless asking permission of the speaker to share their story.
Group sharing and comfort is when people ‘step up and step back’ allowing quieter, shier folks to talk. Not interrupting when others are talking or when someone is in the middle of sharing can be a part of your groups comfort agreement. Online groups open up the opportunity for a wider audience reach. People are able to receive support every day because of online groups and programs!
Always give credit to the creator of any original material that you share in your group. Often to unique ideas are the same common but if using someone else’s work credit them where credit is due.
You may be doing research, engaging speakers, and considering what you will do with silence. Often we say, “let’s just take a moment in silence and take a deep breath. Would anyone else like to share?”
PeerHouse Toronto will post your group for you on the PeerHouse.ca website. Send your PDF to share to info@PeerHouse.ca to be highlighted! A fellow Peer Facilitator at Peer House Toronto can assist you to get started in co-presenting. The success of your group is your resolve to continue to grow it out, and support is available here to champion your resolve In the monthly Peer Leaders Circle available for your ongoing support.