Members of support groups find they are worthwhile because they offer comfort in shared experiences that create safe spaces to connect. Starting a support group takes time and energy to make the right environment, yet even with effort, not every group succeeds. There are things you can do though to keep your support group healthy and effective for all members. 

Tips to Keep Your Group Healthy

• • • Have a strong, experienced facilitator, or meeting leader who can keep the discussion positive and productive.
    • Make sure you have a core group of members who will start the discussion and keep the group on topic. Remind them in advance that they’re responsible to contribute to the conversation. This can bring the quiet members out of their shells.
    • Assign roles to members to ensure all the tasks get done. These roles make members feel included and avoid burnout for the group leaders. The tasks can be anything for meetings like group promotion, securing a meeting place, bringing snacks or collecting names and email addresses.

A Facilitator Keeps Your Group on Track

A good facilitator can set things up for success. It may take some effort to find this person, so get feedback from the group’s core members on the best person for the job. By choosing a facilitator who can keep the group on topic and include every member in the discussion, your group can stay on track. The facilitator assures:

• • • all members are treated equally.
    • everyone has the chance to share and speak.
    • what’s shared in the space, is kept in the space.
    • conflict or disagreements are handled appropriatel.

Finding New Members

Part of sustaining a support group is recruiting new members. Over time, your group will naturally change, especially if it provides support for families who have children in a specific age group or families going through a particular experience, like a child with a new diagnosis or starting school. Whatever your group’s focus, try some of these ideas to get the word out:  

• • • Create social media accounts for your group and have core members keep this account active.
    • Ask school staff and health care providers to share emails or post flyers.
    • Submit your group meetings to community calendars and post information at your local library.
    • Connecting with your regional Children’s Resource Center so they can invite new families.
    • Encourage current members to talk with friends about the value of the group.

Sustaining a Virtual Support Group

Members’ interest might change, or time conflicts come up in any group. Here are some strategies for when these things bubble up:

Group Members are Distracted or Leave Early

• • • Offer to send activity kits or fidgets to parents before meetings to keep kids occupied.
    • For virtual meetings, times should be short and  meetings more frequent to keep members engaged.
    • Make sure the meeting times are kept to their scheduled start and end times so parents can plan family time.
    • Have an agenda for the meeting, so attendees have an idea of the topics that will be discussed and in which order.

Low Attendance

• • • Avoid busy times for members by sending online polls to find the best times and days to meet.
    • Email members before the meeting to get people excited or intrigued about the topics. A same-day email reminder is also helpful.
    • Be strategic in promoting the group by asking current members to be active in finding new members.

No One is Talking

• • • Have an active facilitator to draw out member comments.
    • Have prompting questions ready and stick to topics or questions that encourage discussion.
    • Take advantage of technology to create more engaging meetings. Examples include Zoom breakout rooms, polls or whiteboards.
    • Have some members come to the meeting ready to talk and share. 
    • Use show-and-tell or other strategies and games to help members learn about each other.

Family Leadership Skill-Building

Facilitating a group is a bit of an art form that gets easier with practice. Take time to participate in skill-building sessions for family leaders to increase your confidence and skills.

• • • Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute (WiFLI): A series offered by Family Voices of Wisconsin to build leadership skills and connect with other family leaders.
    • Serving on Groups that Make Decisions: Live webinars and online resources created by WI FACETS that explains how families can be influential members of a decision-making body.

Maintaining a healthy support group takes time and ongoing work, but your group can make a difference making families feel supported, connected and empowered.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network,877-WiscWay (877-947-2929):  Wisconsin Wayfinder offers families one name and phone number to find services for children with special health care needs. Wayfinder connects you to a resource guide at one of the five Children’s Resource Centers in your area. 

If you need this fact sheet as a pdf or other format contact Lynn at lynn@fvofwi.org.