Self Advocacy Groups

What is a self advocacy group?

Simply, it is a place where people can get together to talk about different things in a confidential place.

· Groups have about 6 people in them, so they are small enough to be confident to speak up and big enough to have lots of ideas.

· Group meetings are about 2 hours in length with drinks and snacks to keep the energy up!

· A meeting can take place anywhere that is quiet enough to talk but easy enough to get to. It is important to have a comfortable setting and feel relaxed. Groups have met in different places ranging from Church meeting rooms to pubs!

· Everything that is said in the privacy of the group stays in the group. It is a confidential place to talk openly.

· Guest speakers can come to the group and speak about something particular, for example a police officer or a nurse. It means that the group can ask the person questions on their terms rather than in a big meeting in front of lots of people.

· Groups start with a section on news – members' news, Surrey's news, the national news and anything that comes up!

· Groups then move on to talk about 2 different topics that the group has decided before the meeting. Some of the topics:

  Activities    Work    Health    Friends    Relationships    Travel    Housing    Money    Concerns    Confidence

 And lots more…

There are groups in North East Hampshire and West Surrey; click on your area for more information on how to get involved.