An alternative approach to support group growth and development
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An alternative approach to support group growth and development

Sue Lennon Macmillan urology nurse specialist and psychosexual therapist, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Sue Lennon describes how a peer-led model was created to support men with prostate disease and their partners

Support groups often require help to perpetuate their success, keep to clear objectives and reach out to new members. This article describes the development of an established prostate cancer support group, co-ordinated initially by a clinical nurse specialist who challenged members, nurtured enthusiasm and helped create the opportunity for growth. Collaboration with three separate charities enabled a ‘team building’ weekend so that a newly formed committee could regroup, rejuvenate and approach their future with curiosity. The event ended with a clear and shared vision, lots of energy and an action plan.

Cancer Nursing Practice. 13, 8, 16-20. doi: 10.7748/cnp.13.8.16.e1085

Correspondence

sue.lennon@hdft.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Conflict of interest

Sue Lennon is employed as a Macmillan nurse. She has been a trustee of Odyssey in the past and My Possible Self provides clinical supervision to two groups of colleagues originally co-ordinated by Sue. Financial reward has not been received from either Odyssey or My Possible Self

Received: 27 February 2014

Accepted: 25 June 2014

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