|
home
| about bcsw | helpline | young women | text/e-mail support | training | research | UK support groups
publications | leaflets | vacancies | volunteer | resources | donate | links | contact us |
Self-Injury Support Groups
|
||||||
| Wales | Scotland |
| Southern England | |
If you know of other groups, please let us know, as we regularly receive requests from all over the country from individuals looking for a group close to them. If you know of changes to a group listed here please contact us using the address and telephone number on the contact page.
We are always willing to act as a contact point for small groups who want to keep their details more confidentially than on this list. For sources of further information about setting up and running self-help groups, see the publications page.
Bristol Crisis Service for Women
Set up in 1986 to respond to the needs of women in emotional distress. We have a focus on self-injury and have carried out extensive research. We provide a range of information and publications on self-injury and training for professionals. We have specific information for young women, women from black and minority ethnic groups (information published in Bengali, Chinese, English, Punjabi and Urdu) and women in prison.
Helpline: 0117 925 1119 Friday & Saturday nights 9pm – 12.30 am and Sundays 6-9pm. (The helpline has access to interpreters. Women need to be able to say in English what language they would like to speak in and give their telephone number).
Lifesigns
Self-injury guidance and network support. Website that aims to support people who are affected by self-injury. Offer a free monthly newsletter and safe message board.
National Inquiry into Self-Harm among Young People
The UK's first major investigation into young people and self-harm. The final report, Truth Hurts is available to download from their website.
Address: Dr Marcia Brophy, Self-Harm Inquiry, Camelot Foundation, University House, 11-13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX
Telephone : 020 7828 6085
e-mail : info@selfharmUK.org
National Self-Harm Network
Acute medical and psychiatric service provision is lacking in understanding and treatment of self-harm. Survivor-led organisation, founded in 1994, aims to bridge the huge gulf in understanding, and to campaign for the rights of those who live with self-harm and provide support for people who self-injure, their friends, families and workers. Leaflets and publications have been produced for individuals who self-injure and health care professionals.
Address: PO Box 7264 Nottingham NG1 6WJ
e-mail: info@nshn.co.uk
Self-Injury and Related Issues (SIARI)
A large website offering information and support for self-injurers and others affected by self-injury. Message boards and a moderated on-line support group.
SASH (Adult) Survivors of Abuse and Self-Harming
and Information Service
SASH is a penfriend network which understands and supports adult survivors of abuse and self-harming. Our aim is to allow survivors to contact others in writing, to share thoughts and feelings so they can see and realise they are not alone. Their courage and words will offer comfort, hope and relief to others like themselves. To give back their right to receive the help and support they deserve to begin the healing process.
SASH is now free to join, but we have a small fee of £5.00 (or donation) for our newsletter, this is to cover postage and administration costs.
SAE for enquiries to:
Contact name: Linda Hill
Address: 20 Lackmore Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 4PB
e-mail: sashpen@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/sashpenfriend
The Amber Project
For young people who self-harm.
Contact name: Caryl Stock
Address: The Amber Project, Room 1, The Quaker Meeting House, 43 Charles St, Cardiff, CF10 2GB.
Telephone number: 02920 344776
Mobile Number: 07905 905437
Provides publications. Our work is founded on respect for individuals and their rights to determine their own needs and make choices for themselves. Supply free self harm fact sheets in English, Welsh or Urdu.
Contact name: Lois Arnold / Anne Magill
Telephone: 01873 856524
Address: PO Box 5 Abergavenny NP7 5XW
Currently on hold. Contact for further information, as the group may start up again in the future.
Contact name: Wendy King
Telephone: 01554 752 751
Address: 46 Thomas Street, Llanelli, Camarthenshire SA15 3JF
(This group is not currently running)
We are a self-harm support group at Aberconwy MIND, we meet twice weekly and offer a confidential, supportive and safe environment for people to explore reasons and feelings why they self-harm. Also to share experiences and look at alternative coping strategies.
Contact : Sandra Shuttleworth
Address: Aberconwy MIND, 3 Trinity Square, Llandudno, LL30 2PY.
Telephone Number : 01492 879907
e-mail: mind@mindaberconwy.co.uk
We are a support group for women who live in Flintshire. The self-help group is run by women who understand self-injury and the KIM (Kindness in Mind) project will give mental health support in general. The group sessions are on Wednesday afternoons from 1.00pm – 3.00pm. If you would like to join the group you will need to call the facilitator first to arrange a meeting.
Contact: Jude Elliot
Address : Self-Injury Support Group, KIM (Kindness in Mind) Project, 110 High St, Mold, Flintshire, Wales, CH7 1BH.
Tel: 01352 755333
e-mail : the-kim-project@tiscali.co.uk
In association with the Aberdeen Choose Life Initiative. They are in the process of establishing and supporting self-harm support groups, particularly for the 16-25 age group. For further information or to sign up for one of the support groups contact
Contact: Nicola Thompson
Address : Development Worker for the Aberdeen Self-Harm Project, Penumbra, 17 Palmerston Rd, Aberdeen, AB11 5QP
Telephone number : 01224 596562
A multi-agency group which exists to raise awareness of the issues relating to self-harm.
Contact: Maria Naranjo
Address: Penumbra, Norton Park, 57 Albion Rd, Edinburgh, EH7 5YQ.
Telephone number: 0131 475 2380
e-mail: maria.naranjo@penumbra.org.uk
This service is for anyone aged 18+. The service aims to respond to a referral within 72 hours and from then offers one to one support for six sessions, with a view to signposting them onto another appropriate support in the area. There is also a resource drop-in every week which enables anyone to access the information they have. Referrals can be made by self-referral or another agency, A&E, social worker etc. Referrals can be made by telephone to speed up the process. At present there is no waiting list.
Contact : Sophie Gwyther Tel: 01592 646848
Address: 2 Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy, Fife. (The service is Fife wide and provides outreach support).
We are an information advice and counselling project for young people (under 25). Have a leaflet on self-harm and alternative strategies.
Contact name: Debra Jerdan
Address: Berwick Youth Project, 10 Golden Square, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1BG
e-mail: info@berwickyouthproject.co.uk
Meetings take place on the second and fourth Monday of each month, between 7.00pm – 9.00pm. We provide a safe, confidential user led group for women to discuss any issues around self harm. Meetings are light and informal.
Address : MIND Social Centre, North Shore Methodist Church, Dickson Rd, Blackpool, FY1 2AP
Telephone : 01253 626997 (Monday-Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm)
e-mail : shushuk_@hotmail.co.uk
Small, friendly support group for people in the Bolton area. Meetings every Monday 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
Telephone: 01204 527 200
Address: Deajon House, c/o MHIST, 30 Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4AP
S.I.S. offers support to people who self-harm and to those who support them. S.I.S. provides information, counselling, facilitated and self-help support groups, telephone and e-mail support, website with message board, library loan, awareness training and service user training and opportunities.
Contact name: Jill Eastham, Service Director
Telephone: 01228 515 500 (9am-5pm weekdays)
Address: Bourne Business Centre, Milbourne St, Carlisle, Cumbria. CA2 5XF
e-mail: jill@sis-cumbria.co.uk & info@sis-cumbria.co.uk
www.sis-cumbria.co.uk
Leeds Mind Supporting Housing Project provides support to single people who are experiencing mental health problems, as well as supporting people who use self harm as a way of coping. Support is available in shared accommodation and single tenancies. Therapeutic emphasis is aimed at looking at other ways of coping. The focus has tended to be around issues which impact on the individual. We also access other services and support groups.
Contact name: Paul Croston
Telephone number: 0113 258 8581
Address: Leeds MIND Housing, 354 Broadway, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4RE
e-mail: housing@leedsmind.org.uk
We are a self-help support group providing a safe space for people experiencing issues with self-harm to meet and talk together in a mutually supportive atmosphere. PUSH offers a non-judgemental space for people to discuss life experiences and to exchange advice. Essentially, the group aims to break isolation and gives people the opportunity to take control of their own lives and manage their problems. This group takes place every Tuesday 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Contact name: Ask for Nicky or Caroline who will put you in touch with us.
Telephone: Zion Community Resource Centre 0161 226 5412
Address: 339 Stretford Rd, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY
e-mail : info@selfhelpservices.org.uk
We offer one to one support, counselling and group work to young people aged 14-25 who are under stress or are having mental health difficulties. We work in Manchester, Salford and Trafford. We offer specialist services to young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, men and black young people. We offer training and advice on suicide and self harm issues.
Contact name: Maryam Arbabi
Telephone: 0161 832 0169
Helpline: 12.30pm – 4.30pm Mon-Fri 0161 832 0170
Address: 2nd floor, Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JW
e-mail : theteam@fortysecondstreet.org.uk
For women who self-harm. Now have an afternoon drop-in for women facing a variety of issues, including self-harm. Women can gain information and peer support. Women can be allocated a key worker to give additional support, friendship, listening ear and information.
Contact name: Lorraine Webb
Telephone: 0151 474 4744
Address: c/o Venus Resource Centre, 592-596 Hawthorne Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 6LA
e-mail: venuswcwyw@hotmail.com
Drop in opening times : Monday 1.30pm to 4.00pm
Wednesday 1.30pm to 4.00pm
Friday 1.30pm to 4.00pm
Weekly group that meets Wednesdays 4.00-5.30pm. The group is held in the centre of town. We offer a safe, non-judgemental supportive space run by and for women who self-harm. We see self-harm as a coping strategy and part of the philosophy of the group is working on self-esteem.
Contact name: Angie Smith
Address: c/o Self-Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EG
e-mail: a.smith433@ntlworld.com
Tel: 07974 513647
Drop-in Women’s Centre, crèche facilities, community café, one-to-one counselling service, support groups, etc.
Contact name: Rachel Orme
Telephone: 0161 736 3844
Address: Halton Bank, Langworthy Rd, Salford, M6 7AB
Weekly facilitated self-help group that meets Fridays 2.00-4.00pm for women for whom self-harm is an issue.
Contact name: Dorothy Hughes or Dot Wilson
Telephone: 01743 368647.
Address: Shropshire MIND, Suites 3 & 4, Observer House, Holywell St, Shrewsbury, SY2 6BL
e-mail: admin@shropshiremind.org
Offer one to one self-injury support sessions with a qualified counsellor (person centred).
Contact Name: John Davies
Telephone : 0161 480 7393
Address: Stockport Mind, Dove House, 65 Union St, Stockport SK1 3NP
Echo Group is a social group for self-harmers, provided in a safe environment. Open to men and women aged 18 and over. We meet twice a week on Monday afternoon's 12.00pm – 3.00pm (an in-depth group looking at feelings behind self harm) and Wednesday mornings 10.00am - 1.00pm (drop-in) at the American Clubhouse, Waterloo Rd, Burslem, Stoke on Trent. (Echo offers training to other organisations around self-harm).
Contact Name: Judith Shaw, Co-ordinator
Telephone: 07876 161356 (8am-7pm Seven days a week)
Address: American Clubhouse, Waterloo Rd, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
The SISH Group runs two services.
1. Weekly support group meetings for whom self-injury is an issue.
Group meetings are held in central Bristol on Tuesday evenings. The support group is an open group to which women can refer themselves. It is facilitated by women experienced in working with people who self-injure. It provides a safe space for women to share experiences, find support and develop ways of coping with self-injury and related issues in their lives.
2. Monthly Workshops on Promoting Good Mental Health
Workshops are held on the first Saturday of each month in Central Bristol. Each workshop is led by a specialist practitioner in the field and provides a ‘taster’ of a creative way of promoting good mental health, especially in relation to people who have personal experience of self-injury or provide support to someone who self-injures. Workshops can be booked in advance, or people can turn up on the day. Both men and women, people who self-injure and their friends, carers or supporters are welcome to attend. A small charge (£2 unwaged/£4 waged) is payable towards the cost of the workshop.
Telephone: 07788 142 999 (mobile)
Address: C/O Bristol MIND, PO BOX 1174, Bristol, BS99 2PQ
e-mail: sishbristol@hotmail.co.uk
The group is there to offer support to people for whom self-harm is an issue. People self-harm as a response to inner emotional pain and vary in the amount they self-harm. People don’t have to be currently self-harming to use this group. The group is available to people aged 18-65.
The group meets on a Tuesday evening and usually runs for one and a half hours.
Contact : Gareth Bowen
Address : Plymouth and District MIND, 1st Time Presenter service, 8 Woodside, Greenbank, Plymouth, PL4 8QE
Tel: 01752 512285
Telephone helpline providing confidential emotional support for children, young adults and adults on any issue. Particularly aimed at those who are isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. Includes support for depression, self harm, eating disorders, survivors of abuse.
Contact name: Geri Burnikell
Telephone number: 020 8554 9006
Address: PO Box 1596 , Ilford, Essex, 1G1 3FW
e-mail: info@supportline.org.uk
Helpline: 020 8554 9004 Flexible hours; next opening time will be announced on the answer machine.
It is a mixed sex group. We are a service user led group but have a trained psychiatric liaison nurse attached to us. The group is open to anyone who is/has self-harming problems
Contacts : Kathy Groves
Tel : 01983 522214
Address: The Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport, Isle of Wight,
PO30 2QR
The support group provides a safe and confidential environment for men and women to share experiences. We do not judge or have expectations of individuals’ self-harm. Meet once a week on Wednesdays from 2.00pm – 3.00pm. Self referral. Please call to arrange an appointment and a brief assessment (details below for Islington MIND)
This is a support group for young people (16-25) to meet and share experiences. We do not judge or have expectations that people will stop self-harming to use the service. Meet once a week on Wednesdays from 2pm-3pm. Self or other referral. Please call to make an appointment for a brief assessment.
Contact name: Lorna
Telephone: 0207 272 6936
Address: Islington MIND, 35 Ashley Road, London N19 3AG
This is a facilitated support group for 13-19 year old women in Tower Hamlets. The group meets two hours a week on Tuesday afternoons. Membership is subject to a referral process and initial interview. There is a 16 week programme of activities.
Contact name: Lisa Young or Hannah Harniess
Telephone: 0207 729 4286
Address: The Gap Project, 305 Cambridge Heath Rd, London, E2 9LH
Web: www.thegapproject.org
Work with Asian women and girls vulnerable to suicide and self-harm. Have a ‘Guide to Support Services for Young Asian Women’. Also provide training on working with young Asian women who self-harm. ‘Silent Scream – young Asian women and self-harm – a handbook for professionals’ training manual available.
Telephone: 020 8472 0528
Address: 661 Barking Road, London E13 9EX
e-mail:zindaagi@nawp.org
A special place where young people who self-harm can access confidential support and advice. To offer a holistic package of support for young people (13 - 24) who self harm. We aim to enable them to feel that they can take control of their life and make informed choices for their future.
Tel: 07790 645078
e-mail enquiries : info@indigoproject.co.uk
Want to donate some money to Bristol Crisis Service for Women? Click here and then on the £ sign to donate money via Everyclick.