Sharing experiences enables them to give each other a unique quality of mutual support and to pool practical information and ways of coping. We work largely with groups based on health, social or personal issues which are run by their members.
Some self help groups expand their activities.
Professionals may sometimes take part in the group in various ways when asked to by the group. Some groups will hold regular meetings - on a weekly, monthly, quarterly basis. Meetings may be in public venues, such as community centres, or in members' homes. Setting up a group can take time to achieve and requires some careful consideration. A self help group is made up of people sharing a common issue or experience, either directly or through their partners and families, e.g. chronic illness, bereavement, parents' support groups.