How-to For Online Groups

If you’re thinking of starting an online group, or you already have a community but haven’t set rules, you might be wondering how to get started. Self Help UK have an example rules for online groups which you are welcome to use to adapt to your group.

Managing Groups Online

When groups are private, the content in them is intended and assumed to be private as well. Remind members that if they’re going to screenshot, share, or quote content from the community they need to request permission from the original poster first.
Strong, consistent enforcement is key to creating a positive experience for members of any online group.
I recommend that you start by featuring your community rules upfront in the group’s welcome content.
In Facebook Groups, that could mean mentioning them in the banner image as well as the “About” description and a pinned post.
If not, you'll want to pin your rules or create a way for each new member to be introduced to the rules as they join. You could also create a welcome video where the rules are explained.
It’s also a good idea to ask prospective members to agree to your rules upon joining.

Click here to download: Managing Groups Online

Example Rules for Online Groups

An online support group is a great way for self-help groups to either operate as a stand - alone group or as an addition to face to face meetings. You may want to have a closed group that only allow certain members or an open group for others to easily access. Either way when people have the chance to communicate openly online this can sometimes cause problems. That is why it is important to have strong and simple ground rules. Please see an example of how these could look.

Click here to download: Example Rules for Online Group

Promoting Your Online Support Group – (attracting new members)

Who is your group for?
The first thing you need to figure out about your group is who it is for and what are it's aims, Self Help UK have can support you with this.

There are a few reasons for this.
First, if you can be precise in terms of who you want to help, you’ll be able to describe your group more effectively. When you can clearly communicate how your group can benefit others, you’ll easily attract new members.

Click here to download: Promoting Your Online Support Group

Setting Up and Managing Video Conferencing Meetings

What is video conferencing?
Video conferencing is a live audio and video conversation between 2 or more people in different locations, conducted using a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Some video conferencing services also allow you to share files, pictures, or each other's screens. Many devices have video conferencing functionality built in to them.

Click here to download: Setting Up and Managing Video Conferencing Meetings

Further Resources

Click here to download: How to use WhatsApp

Click here to download: How to use Zoom

Click here to download: How to set up a FaceBook Group

Do let us know if you are planning to set up an online support group so that we can support you and add it to our online directory.