Get people involved in your peer support group
Running a peer group is a lot of work.
This document is about how to get people involved in organising and running your peer group.
Remember peer groups are about people coming together and sharing.
Getting people involved will help make sure you do not do everything.
It will help others learn new skills.
Think about who will do different jobs
Members of the group can help
- Run the group
- Fill in if someone is sick or cannot come to a meeting
You can share jobs around.
For example
- Different members can do different jobs
- 2 people can do jobs together
You can ask support people to help with some jobs.
Do not forget people might need training to get the skills to help.
Community organisations
Good community organisations can provide support.
Remember the purpose of your group and think about who in the community might help.
Organisations you could ask for support
- Local businesses
- Church groups
- Clubs
- Local council
- Members of Parliament
- Disability and other community service organisations
Tips for asking community organisations
Tell organisations what your group is about.
Think about how they can help.
For example
- Help your facilitator
- Give you a meeting place
- Help you get funding
- Donations of food, money or equipment
When you speak to the organisation make sure
- You are polite and respectful
- You are positive about your group
- You know about their organisation and what they do
Job list
Use this list to plan who you can ask to help you.
- Tell people about the group
- Communicate with group members
- Organise when and where to meet
- Choose topics to talk about
- Prepare activities and equipment
- Set up the room
- Set out any food or drinks
- Run the meeting
- Support people in peer group
- meetings