The lifespan and life-cycle of self-help groups: a retrospective study of groups in Nottingham, UK

Abstract

This article is based on an analysis of a practice database held by Self Help Nottingham, an organisation that supports local self-help groups. The database contains details of 936 groups that closed between 1982 and 2007. The aim of the study is to provide qualitative and descriptive quantitative information about the life-cycles of self-help groups, the problems that they face throughout their existence and the likelihood of different problems leading to their closure. The database was not collated for research purposes and so we restrict our discussion of the findings to identification of broad patterns regarding the birth and closure rates of different types of group and questions for future research. Comparisons were made between groups that addressed different types of problem, groups with different memberships and groups that had reached different stages in their existence. There was reasonable consistency in the survival rates of different types of group with physical health groups being the most likely to reach maturity followed by mental health and lastly social issue groups. Survival rates for groups that serve different membership populations were reasonably constant although there were some anomalies. There were high levels of consistency regarding the reasons for closure for groups closing at different stages of maturity. The most commonly cited reasons among all groups were the withdrawal of a 'key' member and a decline in membership. The article suggests that some of the assumptions and prescriptions within the existing literature need to be considered in light of more detailed empirical evidence, and it raises questions about the theoretical understanding of self-help groups.

Beyond the therapeutic: A Habermasian view of self-help groups’ place in the public sphere

“…Indeed, the lack of a formal structure that is typical of small groups can itself make them more vulnerable to abuse of power (Habermas, 1996; Stolze, 2000). Furthermore, evidence suggests that group leaders tend to have a disproportionate share of power and organisational responsibility (Chaudhary et al , 2010). This means that the political learning that is claimed to take place in self-help groups (Elsdon et al , 2000) may not be benefitting the broader membership.…”

“…Self-help groups grew out of the civil rights movements in the 1960s and 1970s (Williams, 2004) but since that time have evolved into a very different looking phenomenon. In their current form, they tend to emerge in response to a specific health condition, or a social situation with the potential to affect health and well-being, such as bereavement or divorce (Chaudhary et al , 2010). Hence they are frequently described under the heading of ‘single issue group' (Munn-Giddings, 2003).…”

What's in a name? A discussion paper on the labels and location of self‐organising community groups, with particular reference to mental health and Black groups

“…Self help groups can be fun involving a range of educational, creative and social activities (Tyldesley and Phillips, 2009). Ownership and control lie with members, distinguishing self help groups from professionally managed support groups, but Chaudhary et al, (2010) note that many self help groups are supported in some way by practitioners, and the relationship is often complex.…”

“…However, self help, peer support and service user groups are increasingly being located within the health and social care sector as the terminology of self help and peer support moves into policy initiatives. Health and social care practitioners not trained to understand the dynamics of self organising groups may be setting them up, but it is not clear if or how power and control in these professionally initiated groups can be transferred to their members (Chaudhary et al, 2010). Without member control, the nature of the group and its impact will be different, and while there is a place for professionally managed support groups, some commentators like Ockwell below, urge professionals to value what people with mental health problems do for themselves:…”

A qualitative study of 2Create: A mental health service user-led art group

“…Department of Health, 2007a;2007b;Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 2005); however, these groups remain under-researched in the UK (Borkman & Munn-Giddings, 2008;Chaudhary, Avis & Munn-Giddings, 2010;Seebohm et al, 2013), have a low profile and are little understood (Seebohm et al, 2013).…”