PTSD Stress & Trauma Peer Support - Face to Face - Wirral & Liverpool
Peer Led, Trauma Informed, Peer Support; FREE Weekly Peer Support meetings from Monday & Tuesday, until we have a new timetable for February 2025 confirmed .
Please scroll down to our FAQs and Guidelines.
You can access as many or as few as you like 🙂 – Free, Safe, Confidential, and Inclusive. You are not alone 🙂
Monday
Online UK & Beyond
7.00 – 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday
Liverpool City Centre L3
6.30 – 7.30 p.m.
If you are anxious about walking into a room full of new people, tell us in the e-mail and we’ll call you to talk you through it and we can meet you by the door.
- You do not have to have a formal diagnosis of PTSD, Stress, or Trauma.
- You will meet a friendly group of like-minded individuals.
- No pressure to talk or go into any detail about the past, more a place to come and “be”.
For further information, directions and details on each of the groups, visit the dedicated location page below:
Are the groups mixed?
Yes.
Is it facilitated?
Yes, all our groups are facilitated by experienced facilitators, with lived experience of PTSD.
How many people attend?
The average number of people that attend is between 7 – 12 per session, sometimes lower, sometimes higher, but never more than 15.
Do I need to be diagnosed with PTSD?
No. It is not a requirement of our peer support groups to have an official diagnosis.
Can I bring a friend or family member?
Yes. PTSD often affects more than the person and we welcome any member of your support network.
How much is it?
Free to all. There are no costs to this at all.
Do I need to talk about my trauma?
No. You will never be under any pressure to discuss anything from your past. We have created a place to just “be”.
Who can attend?
Anyone can attend. It’s an inclusive group of people of all social backgrounds, genders and identities.
Our Peer Support Group Guidelines.
We are here to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone. To ensure that we respect and care for each other, please keep the following guidelines in mind throughout our time together:
1. Confidentiality:
– What is shared here, stays here. This is a safe space where we respect each other’s privacy. Please do not share personal stories or details outside this group. Texting, recording of sessions and the use of phones are prohibited during the sessions, please turn your phones to silent or vibrate, any calls or urgent messages should be replied to outside of the room where the session is taking place.
2. Respect:
– Listen with empathy and without judgment. Everyone’s experiences and feelings are valid.
– Allow others to speak without interruption. Each person deserves to be heard.
3. Safety:
– Take care of yourself. If you need to step out or take a break at any time, feel free to do so, please don’t feel self-conscious.
– Share only what you are comfortable sharing. It’s okay to pass if you do not want to speak.
4. Non-judgmental Environment:
– We are here to support, not to judge. Be open-minded and accepting of differences.
5. Inclusivity:
– We welcome all individuals regardless of background, identity, or experience. Discriminatory or offensive language will not be tolerated.
6. Empowerment:
– Focus on your strengths and the strengths of others. Encourage and support each other in positive ways.
7. Boundaries:
– Although it is difficult seeing people upset, do not offer any physical comfort in the form of hugging, or holding hands, While well-meaning, it may be triggering for the other person to receive it, and it may be that their PTSD triggers and level of boundaries may not equip them to say no to an advance, which could exacerbate the situation for that person who is distressed.
– Respect personal boundaries. Avoid giving unsolicited advice or making comparisons between experiences.
– Use “I” statements to speak from your experience rather than generalise.
8. Mindfulness:
– Be present and engaged. Mindfulness can help us stay grounded and connected.
– Avoid using substances that alter your state of mind during sessions, we allow functioning users to attend our sessions, as substances are a form of self-medication, but we reserve the right to bar entry to anyone we feel may be inebriated or high to safeguard that person and other members of the group.
9. Active Participation:
– Engage in the group activities and discussions to the best of your ability, you are not under any pressure at any point to talk about what happened to you.
– Remember, participation can look different for everyone; listening is also a form of participation.
10. Gratitude and Acknowledgment:
– Appreciate the courage it takes to share and listen to others’ stories.
– Acknowledge each person’s contribution to the group.