Leading Activity-Focused Groups: 50+ Groups That Build Peer Support, Wellness, and Community

Throughout history, people have connected around shared interests-community events, meals, creative pursuits, problem-solving, or simple socializing. This book is designed to help community members, Peer Support Specialists, and clinicians build and support successful activity-focused groups. It provides a clear rationale for these groups and explains their unique value. It offers practical guidance for anyone developing a new group or facilitating an existing group. The second half of the book is a resource for anyone interested in developing a specific type of group. It includes individual profiles of more than 50 different types of activity-focused groups that have received at least some research attention regarding their benefits for health, recovery, and social connection. These include groups that focus on (1) health behaviors, (2) activities related to nature, (3) fun and socializing, (4) the arts, (5) spiritual development, (6) common life transitions, (7) work and money, and (8) exploration. Each group is described, along with a summary of the research and practical guidance about how to develop that specific type of group successfully. This book is intended to be an accessible, portable resource that you can use as you develop and facilitate activity groups and help rebuild our communities.