How many of you use support groups? what do you like about them?

[Marne]

Im starting a loccal support group for parents with children on the Autistic spectrum. I have a venue to use and a couple people who are interseted in helping run the group.

What i would like to know is how can i make it work? (get people to come and feel welcome). What makes a group worth going to? What would you like to see at a support group (information on offer ect..)?

Any advice greatfully recieved .

[HelensMelons]

Hi Marne

Have been asked to do the same, so will watch your thread with interest! I have thought about "settling in" (confidentiality), hopes/fears/expectations, , useful websites/no's, stuff like that, oh and of course, tea and coffee?!

[Marne]

Thanks HelensMelons, i have never been to a support group (as there are none in our area) so i don't realy know what goes on at them other than parents getting together for a chat/support.

There are a lot of things i would like to do but not sure which things would work. I would like to able to offer help with filling in DLA forms, statementing as well as advice for behaviour, therapy and sleep. I would like to have professionals and charities to come in and offer advice. Also i would like to arrange a get together once a month for children (and siblings). It would be great to have internet conection in the group so people can get advice on the web (if they can't at home).

[StartingAfresh]

I go to one support group.

It runs monthly on a Saturday morning.

I like it because:

1. There ain't no way no Autism LA person is going to give up their Sat morning and poke their nose in.
   
   
2. It was set up by some evangelical christians and although my beliefs are not the same, they certainly know how to have good discipline and the very highest expectations of the children.
   
   
3. It takes siblings
   
   
4. There is 45 mins in the middle when the parents are encouraged to go and have a cuppa in a next door room where NO CHILDREN are allowed, whilst they are looked after by the volunteers.
   
   
5. Even though there are high expectations, no-one bats an eyelid when there ARE meltdowns and they have an established visual timetable and structure which they make sure all the children know about.
   
   
6. It does all its fund raising independent of the LA and therefore can dictate its own agenda and support.
   
   It's ace there.

[Marne]

Thanks startingAfresh, that sounds like a great group. I don't want any LA involvement. I'm hoping to start with a parent group (say a friday morning) and then if there is enough interest, get the children and siblings involved (organised activities ect..).

Do you have to pay to go to the group or is it all funded through fund raising?

I have to pay a small fee for the venue so will need to cover costs (and costs for tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits). I don't feel we could fund raise until we know how polpoular the group will be.

[StartingAfresh]

It's an optional 50p but I always put in a £1.

I don't think it is usual though to have such go-getting fund-raisers as this group have. They seem to know about every available pot of money and go out agressively to get it.

[Marne]

Thank you,

Do you think its best to have the group on a weekday (morning) or at the weekend?

Will people come if its in the week (some may be working)?

[badkitty]

Well, I would love something like this in my area (although my son's disabilities are different) but I work 4 days a week and feel very left out as all the local things eg organised by Contact a Family and stuff, are on weekdays so I can never go - even if it was my day off I can't go as that is taken up with all DS's appointments. So I would vote for the weekend!!

[Marne]

Thanks badkitty, i'm just worried that when summer comes people would rather be out doing things (beach, day trips) rather than coming to the group. On the other hand, people work during the week and if its on the weekend parents can bring their dc's along (this would me providing entertainment and maybe a larger venue).

[Poshpaws]

Hi Marne

I run one as part of my job. It runs once a month for about 2 hours.

We start off having lucnh together (they bring their own, we provide tea/cpffee/juice) then we either catch up, have guest speakers, etc. The next one I am running is holding stress busting sessions, run by an external charitable organisation.

[Poshpaws]

Forgot to add, mine is on a weekday in the afternoon. We have a creche, so parents with young children can come and those who have school aged children are back on time for pick up/drop off.

We are a charity, so not linked to SS or LA .

[auntevil]

I don't go to a support group, but a SN/SEN play and stay.
2 things Starting said are really important for me.
Siblings allowed - as i have no-one else to look after them.
Volunteers to oversee as you have a chat to other parents. Although we are not out of the area, there are enough bodies to help to not necessitate your undivided attention.
I have learnt so much from other parents from this session - and all my kids love it.

[chorltonandthewheelies]

I go to a local carers support group, and have done for several years now on and off. We have monthly meetings, one of which will be with a "professional" and one which is informal. The professionals are mixed between therapists and information. The two workers who run it are very helpful with information and support,one is from Princes Carers Trust and one from Integrated Services. We also have a creche available.
One month we will have a chat and share info, the next we will get a relaxation therapy, or chat to service providers such as young carers. It has opened my eyes to lots of services and also to lots of SN. I have got lot from the informal and the formal meetings both have benefits.