ESTEEM research

The ESTEEM (Effective Support for Self Help/ Mutual aid groups) study

The three-year ESTEEM (Effective Support for Self Help/Mutual aid groups) research was carried out from 2010-2013. Funded by the Big Lottery, the project was a partnership between Self Help UK (formerly Self Help Nottingham), Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Nottingham.

The aim of the study, which was carried out by researchers at Nottingham University and Anglia Ruskin University, was to look at ways practitioners can best support local self help groups.

The research was a tale of two counties – Essex and Nottinghamshire – and examined the relationships between self help groups and health and social care practitioners in these two localities.  Although, throughout the research groups referred to themselves in different ways, for example, support group, mutual aid group - we refer to them as self help groups.

We hope the findings of the research will help improve the quality of advice and support given to self help groups by practitioners. 

Download the key findings document

Download the ESTEEM guide