About Us
Self Help UK has a long-standing commitment to empowering individuals and communities through peer support. This has been shown to improve health and wellbeing. The increasing pressures on the UK’s healthcare system, combined with
rising health inequalities, make peer support services more essential than ever. Many individuals face challenges in accessing timely and appropriate support through traditional services, meaning that alternative, community-led interventions play a critical role in bridging this gap.
We provide a range of services for individuals, communities, and health and care service providers across the UK. These services include training and consultancy, cancer support services, a directory of peer support groups and resources.
Our services address specific needs within communities, including providing practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer. Find out more about our current services here. The demand for these services continues to grow, demonstrating the ongoing need for our work.
Self Help UK’s work is particularly relevant in the current climate, where social isolation and mental health concerns are on the rise. By providing accessible, community-based support, we have helped reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, and lessen the strain on statutory services.
Learn More About Us
Empowering communities through peer support.
Self Help UK has a diverse team with decades of experience helping people. We use our local knowledge and national reach to provide the right support, no matter what you need.
How it all began The charity’s journey began when a local health professional, diagnosed with terminal cancer, sought connection with others experiencing similar circumstances. She …
The philosophy of self-help and peer support is based on three elements: Shared experience The reasons for choosing self help are varied, but making the …
What is a peer support group? A peer support group is a group of people who have a first-hand understanding of a particular life situation …
For anyone interested in improving health and wellbeing, Self Help UK is a community development charity that equips, empowers and encourages positive change. Our services are designed and informed by our specialist knowledge and experience in personalised care, enriched by our history of community involvement.
Self Help UK is a voluntary sector organisation established in 1982. We promote and encourage self-help groups to empower individuals to take better control of their circumstances or conditions, gain strength from others, and improve their self-care.
Frequently asked questions
Got a question? See if we have answered it below, or contact us.
We are Self Help UK. Some of our services are run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. This means our staff are Macmillan professionals and can access training and information from the national charity. We work closely with other Macmillan services locally and nationally to ensure you get the benefit of all Macmillan Cancer Support has to offer.
A peer support group is a group led by its members who are experiencing the same challenges in life. Many people find that it helps to talk to someone who understands, because they have been in the same situation. Peer support groups provide mutual support and offer a route to better health and wellbeing.
We have a variety of different cancer support services:
Beyond Diagnosis service, in partnership with Macmillan, for patients living in Nottingham and Mid and South Nottinghamshire. You can self-refer for this service.
Cancer Care Coordinators in Nottingham GP practices, for patients referred by their GP surgery.
Deaf Cancer Support service, in partnership with Macmillan, for Deaf and hard of hearing patients across the UK. You can self-refer for this service.
Please visit the relevant project page for further details of how to refer.
Through our Learning Centre, we provide training for:
- professionals wanting to develop their understanding of peer support groups.
- individuals wanting to start or connect with a peer support group in the UK.
- organisations and charities wanting to support the development of peer support groups within their field.
We have also developed bespoke training, such as our Safeguarding for Deaf Employees course. Visit our Training page for more details.
For volunteers, we have a comprehensive training programme and ongoing support, to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your role.