What happens at a support group?
All groups are facilitated by an experienced member of our team, all group members sign a confidentiality agreement, and all groups have a similar format:
- GROUND RULES: Groups begin with the facilitator outlining the group rules and health and safety procedures.
- INTRODUCTIONS: Group members state their first name only and say how they fit into the adoption triad e.g. "I'm Kate, I'm a birth mother/adoptee/adoptive parent".
- DISCUSSION: Group members share and discuss experiences and issues (this is often structured around a previously agreed relevant topic e.g. identity or contact).
- CLOSURE: The facilitator brings the discussion to a close, helps the group agree on a topic for the next meeting and confirms the date of the next meeting.
Attending a support group for the first time can cause anxiety. If you feel anxious about attending a group meeting but would like to attend, please note, no one has to contribute to the group discussions unless they feel comfortable doing so. New members are not expected to contribute to the first few meetings they attend, they are invited to come along and listen initially to ensure a group setting is right for them.
Specific Support Groups ~ Birth mothers only
We hold a support group for birth mothers only in Belfast. The date of this meeting varies so please contact the office for details.
If you wish to be informed about group meetings or cancelations automatically, please email or text/call Kate on 077 8910 4668 with your contact details.
Mixed/General Support Groups ~ Belfast
General/Mixed support groups are open to all adults with a connection to adoption, i.e. birth parents, their partners, adoptees, their partners, siblings, adoptive parents, etc).
Venue: First Floor, Imperial Buildings, 72 High Street, Belfast BT1 2BE (parking is available opposite, in St George’s Parish Church).
Time: 7.30 - 9.30pm 2012
Date: First Tuesday of every month (except when it falls on a holiday)
- Tue 10th Jan, Tue 7th Feb, Tue 6th Mar
- Tue 3rd Apr, Tue 1st May, Tue 5th June
- Tue 3rd Jul, Tue 7th Aug, Tue 4th Sep
- Tue 2nd Oct, Tue 6th Nov, Tue 4th Dec
Groups are sometimes cancelled due to holidays, weather etc so please check before attending. If you wish to be informed about group meetings or cancelations automatically please email, text/call Kate on 077 8910 4668 with your contact details.
Mixed/General Support Groups ~ Derry/Londonderry
Derry/L'derry General/Mixed support groups are open to all adults with a connection to adoption, i.e. birth parents, their partners, adoptees, their partners, siblings, adoptive parents, etc.)
Venue: Men's Action Network (MAN), 40 Carlisle Road, Derry/Londonderry BT48 6JW
Time: 7 - 9pm 2012
Dates: 2nd Monday of every month (except when it falls on a holiday)
- Mon 9th Jan, Mon 13th Feb, Mon 12th Mar
- Mon 9th Apr, Mon 14th May, Mon 11th Jun
- Mon 9th Jul, Mon 13th Aug, Mon 10th Sep
- Mon 8th Oct, Mon 12th Nov, Mon 10th Dec
Mixed/General Support Groups ~ Ballymena
Ballymena General/Mixed support groups are open to all adults with a connection to adoption, i.e. birth parents, their partners, adoptees, their partners, siblings, adoptive parents, etc).
Venue: Ballymena Council Offices, Ardeevan, 80 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1AB (opposite the bus & train station)
Time: 7.30 - 9.30pm 2012
Dates: varied ~ the dates below are to be confirmed
- Jan - to be arranged, Mon 6th Feb, Mon 5th Mar
- Mon 2nd Apr, Mon 7th May, Mon 4th Jun
- Mon 2nd Jul, Mon 6th Aug, Mon 3rd Sep
- Mon 1st Oct, Mon 5th Nov, Mon 3rd Dec
Groups are sometimes cancelled due to holidays, weather etc so please check before attending. If you wish to be informed about group meetings or cancelations automatically please email or text/call Kate on 077 8910 4668 with your contact details.