Setting up AF support group

[wilsond]

Good morrow AFibbers! I am meeting the Patient Representative Group at my GP surgery next week,to discuss setting up a surgery based support group.

We hope to offer open sessions every 6 weeks or so,a mixture of occasional invited guests and AF patients. General information sharing/ support and refreshments.

Surgery will advertise and give out information leaflets.

The practice manager has suggested I am the main point of contact for invited guests.etc.

It is not proposed to have a formal committee style format though.

Has anyone else had experience of the above ,who would share tips of what to avoid / definetly do etc? I would be grateful!

Hope we are all well...🙄💞💞

[CDreamer]

Well done you!

I’ve been involved with a few such groups, both in GP surgery & hospital & Independant.

Decide what sort of group you are going to be - informative or social.

Get a team if volunteers behind you.

Marketing & maintaining participation were the most difficult. Our surgery didn’t market well so numbers weren’t sustained. A lot depends upon your catchment area as to how & where to market - timing of meetings etc - just putting up notices in surgery doesn’t work, you need to be on social media, posters in local shops, advert in local paper, never underestimate word of mouth so begin with a bang & get a top local, specialist speaker. But it needs a speaker who can read an audience & target their talk accordingly.

I’m sure you will have already thought of these things already & that others such as a Rosie will chip in as she has a lot more experience of AF groups - I moved to Lifestyle Medicine in general.

What didn’t work was simple sit around & talk about it in our area so maybe talk followed by social tea & biscuits/cake? - then people strike up social networks organically.

Good luck with it all. CD

[wilsond in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you CD! Some very useful pointers there,which I appreciate.

I'll let you know how I get on. Xx

[PhyllisK]

There is already a BHF support group in Coventry .When I needed support I felt that AF wasn’t on their agenda. Perhaps working with this already established group may be something to think about. Good luck.

[wilsond in reply to PhyllisK]

Thank you Phyllis. Hope you are well x