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How much does it cost to run a peer group?
It is important to consider what funds are required to run a peer group and how this can be sourced. There are two main types of costs in running a peer support group:
- Variable (changing) costs of running each meeting; and
- Fixed (ongoing) costs of having a peer support network.
Variable costs are what you might spend for each peer network meeting and can change from meeting to meeting. It can include things like room booking fees, catering, delivery fees, transport costs, printing and anything else you may need to run each meeting.
Fixed costs are the costs that do not change no matter how many peer support network meetings are held and can include things like: insurance, infrastructure costs, computers/projectors or other IT, accounting fees and any rent costs if you have a central office or use part of one. Both costs should be considered and sources of funding for them identified.
Running costs of a peer group and what to consider:
1. What will the structure of your peer support network be?
Will it fit within an existing organisation? If so, what assistance can they provide to cover the costs of group delivery? Can they provide you with any required insurance cover, and provide staff and/or volunteer management and support?
If it will be an independent peer support network, how will you ensure you have enough funds to cover costs? Are there other like-minded organisations that may be willing to assist you in your peer support network development and delivery?
2. Who will deliver and coordinate the group?
It is important to consider who in your group is best suited to do this task. The costs of group delivery will be significantly impacted by this choice.
3. What insurance cover is required?
It is important to ensure the core activity of the group is covered. For example, many locations require you to provide an insurance cover letter to hire a room to ensure everyone is covered for injury. Can you be sure any group leaders are either covered for advice provided, or knows to give standard and non-specific advice?
4. How to communicate with members on a budget.
It is important to ensure all members know what network meetings are being held. There are many low cost ways of doing this – from text messages to emails and online free newsletters.
But what if some members cannot access the internet, or do not have mobile phones? How will you ensure you are able to communicate with all members and, if this means some need reminders posted, what is this likely to cost and who will do this?
5. How can you manage the costs?
Budgeting is important to ensure you can continue to offer your members a peer network into the future. Doing a budget involves making estimates of all the likely costs of running the group and managing that budget means you need to regularly compare what you have spent to what you estimated you would spend. The differences are variances and will let you know if you are running ‘on budget’, ‘under budget’ or ‘over budget’. Knowing this while you are developing your group is very important as no one wants groups to be unsuccessful due to budgetary issues.
6. Who can help with funding when establishing a group?
There any many opportunities to gain grants and funding to run a peer network. The four core sources of funding for any community group are:
- Grants: many local and some federal government and other grants are regularly available for application, though you may need an auspicing agency;
- Sponsorship, In-Kind and Other: are there local businesses or organisation to assist?;
- Donations: your members, contacts and even strangers may support your idea; and,
- Fundraising: can you and your members raise the funds from the huge number of opportunities available, from go-fund-me pages to selling Entertainment Books!
7. Could having an auspicing agency help make your dream a reality?
If you dream of establishing a peer group but can’t get funds to do it because you don’t meet grant criteria, you may need an auspicing agency. This is an organisation with similar values that is willing to be the official grant applicant and manager on your group’s behalf.
Look for like-minded organisations (perhaps on this website), and start having conversations about your dreams to others.
8. What is your financial literacy level?
Some people are comfortable managing money while others may lack confidence and/or skills, or simply do not like dealing with money. It is important to consider how much you understand money and how comfortable you are with concepts such as budgets, if you are considering managing the funds of your peer support group.
Remember, you can always make gaining financial literacy one of your own life goals, or that others can often support you with these aspects of group delivery.
More useful information and resources:
The Community Tool Box, from Kansas in the US, has information on gaining financial sustainability, budgeting and financial management.
Government Grants information and opportunities can be found by searching online for specific local council and state programs, such as SA’s site Grants Assist as well as federal site, Grant Connect.
NDIA also offer funding opportunities from time to time, and these are managed via the government’s Community Grants Hub.