Group of multi-coloured plastic people

Session Information

We run a variety of sessions to meet the various needs of our members. Because all of our members are at different levels with their progress through social anxiety, it is important that some of our sessions are more challenging than others. Our public speaking sessions are probably the most challenging, but they are still accessible to all members as people are welcome to just stay as a members of the audience. Below we have briefly described what goes on in each of our sessions. The descriptions are split into frequent sessions, which happen roughly on a monthly basis, and infrequent sessions, which may only happen a few times a year. Generally the sessions should be thought of as a self-help resource where we provide the setting and structure, but members need to take their own steps.

How sessions start and finish

Most of our sessions (unless stated below) start and finish in the same way and so first we shall explain these parts and why we include them. Facilitators will coordinate and initiate these steps as the session progresses.

Reading the rules

Sessions start with the facilitator asking for a volunteer to read out some reminders about our rules and guidelines to the group. No one is pressured to do this and if no one volunteers the facilitator will read them. This is an opportunity for you to practice reading and talking in front of a group, if that is something they wish to work on. It is also an opportunity for members to play a more active role within the group.

Opening round of feelings

After the rules and guidelines have been read, every one is then given an opportunity to say literally one or two words about how they are currently feeling. All the members first names will be written on small bits of paper and then a volunteer is asked to pick names out at random and ask the selected people if they would like to say how they feel. You are free to just say you will pass if you do not wish to say anything. Some members will also use the opportunity to say a little about their day or week during this exercise. If no one volunteers to pick out the names then the facilitator will do it. Again, this is an opportunity for someone to practice speaking in front of the group. The main purpose of the exercise is that once people have said one or two words in front of the group, they are usually able to relax slightly and that will help them participate more during the session. Also, it is important for everyone to know how other people in the group are feeling. It can be beneficial for members to know they are not the only one in the room who is struggling and members and facilitators can know who might need extra support or sensitivity during the session. The exercise is also beneficial on an individual basis as it helps people identify and express their feelings.

Talking in pairs

After the round of feelings, the names on bits of paper are used again to randomly split people off into pairs and another volunteer is asked for to pick out the pairs and read them out to the group. As usual, the facilitator will perform this task if no one volunteers. As most people find talking in the large group anxiety provoking, we often split into pairs or small groups. Talking in pairs lasts approximately 10-15 minutes and it is an opportunity for you to get to know someone else in the group better and talk about your social anxiety with someone who very likely understands what you are going through. Pairs will usually spread out and use the space available so they can talk in private. When the time is up, the facilitator will come around and gather the group back together. We ask that what is said within pairs or small groups stays confidential within those pairs or small groups. If you do not wish to talk in pairs then please let the facilitator know at any time.

Messages

When the group has come back together, the facilitator will give out any important messages and inform people of what sessions are coming up. They will also ask the members if they have any messages of their own. Typical messages include changes within the group and what social events are currently being organised outside of the group sessions. People may also share details of events or courses they are going on that might interest other members.

The group will then commence with the main part of the session as detailed below under the frequent and infrequent headings.

Closing round

After the main part of the session, the end of the session is very similar to the start of the session but in reverse. The closing round is the same as the opening round, except members will often choose to express how they feel differently from how they did at the start of the session and may briefly say how they found the session. Usually people feel more relaxed towards the end of the session and so this a good opportunity to speak within a group of people. It is also a way for members to get closure on the session and say anything they wanted say to but felt unable to earlier in the session. We can only evolve the group based on your feedback, so please be honest if you did not like something about the session. If you only want to say literally one or two words about how you feel then that is fine, as is wanting to pass and not say anything at all.

After session reminders

To finish the session, a volunteer is asked for to read out some reminders for the group. This is mainly about keeping what you have heard in the group confidential and it also includes a reminder to leave donations in the tin on your way out if you wish to. The session is then finished and often some of the members will go to a local pub to carry on chatting. Everyone is invited to this.

Frequent Sessions

Topic Sessions

These are probably one of the easiest sessions for members to get involved in. We have a set topic that relates to social anxiety and a volunteer randomly picks out groups of 4-5 people. These groups then discuss the topic together. A sheet of questions is provided to help people focus on the topic in a useful way. You can take part in the discussions as much or as little as you wish to. Examples of topics might include relationships, physical symptoms or the workplace.

Games Sessions

To provide a more social setting and help member have fun within the group, we hold games sessions. Typically, these consist of playing board games in small groups, but occasionally we will play a game as a whole group. We have some of our own games, but encourage members to bring their own. Members get to choose which game they want to play. Examples of games we have played in the past include Boggle, Pictionary, Cranium and Uno. We also invite members to bring in some snacks or soft drinks for sharing if they wish to, although there is no pressure to do this.

Group of multi-coloured plastic people doing public speaking

Public Speaking Sessions

Taking part in the public speaking sessions is a great way to boost confidence, especially if you have a public speaking phobia. These sessions are presented as an opportunity to practice public speaking in a supportive environment where it does not matter if you make mistakes. During these sessions we change the room layout to be more typical of a public speaking setting and you are given the opportunity to do everything that can be done in public speaking style in that way. This includes reading the rules, our opening and closing rounds, and reading out the randomly chosen pairs or groups. We make it acceptable for you to do these things in the usual way or pass if you want to. In main part of the session, everyone who wants to do public speaking puts their name in a bowl and then the facilitator will call those people up to speak in a random order. Each speech is typically about 5 minutes and people do many things including telling a bit of their personal story of social anxiety, reading a poem, reading from book, describing something in the room or just saying how they feel standing in front of everyone. After a person has spoken they are offered the chance to get some feedback from the other members if they want it. If you do not want to do public speaking then you are very welcome to just stay as a member of the audience.

Socials

We hold a regular social on the last Thursday of the month at a pub in the city centre instead of having a group session. Socials or not facilitated or lead in any way. People come to them to practice socialising and to get to know other members better. Some people just have drinks while others will have some food there too. We ask that you attend a group session first before attending a social so you know who to look for and other people within the group are familiar with you. Our members also arrange a large variety of other social outings that are usually open to all members. These include anything from bowling, the cinema, DVD nights, walks and meals out, to camping trips, visits to london, meditation, dancing and boat trips. You can find out about socials by joining our Yahoo Group.

New Members Sessions

We always like to see new members join our groups so we have a special type of session just for them. These sessions start and finish in the normal way, except our facilitators take extra care to explain each part of the group and why we do it. For the main part of the session we will typically stay as a whole group at first while the opportunity is given for our regular members (and others if they wish) to share their own experiences of social anxiety and what living with it is like for them and then we split off into smaller groups to do more of the same. We find that people get a great deal out of these sessions and the identification that goes on helps new members feel accepted and not so alone with their challenges. New members also find it helps to join the group when there will likely be other new members there, although new members are welcome to join the group by coming to any of our sessions. New members are given information on overcoming social anxiety as well as more general information on social anxiety and the group.

Sharing Sessions

These sessions work very much the same as New Member's sessions. We use them to replace New Member's sessions when one of our groups has reached its full capacity.

Goal Setting

These sessions are aimed at not only helping our members focus on their goals related to overcoming social anxiety, but also the other areas of their life that are important to them. The first part of the session involves working individually to review progress, set goals and plan the neccessary steps to be taken. Then members are given the opportunity to share and discuss their goals in small groups. These sessions are very much about you and it is up to you what goals you want to work on and if you wish to share them.

Question and Answer

If you are struggling to know what to do to move forward, have hit a barrier or are just starting to tackle your social anxiety then this session is a chance to get some answers. In these sessions, facilitator and author of socialanxiety.co.uk, Nick Hanlon, puts himself in the hot seat to answer your questions on overcoming social anxiety and building confidence. You are welcome to email questions to email@sawest.org in the days before the session if you do not wish to ask them in front of everyone. Nick will then read them out anonymously and do his best to provide an answer.

Women Only Sessions

The sessions in the women only group are currently run the same as topic sessions but may vary. These sessions always have a female facilitator.

Infrequent Sessions

Guest Speakers

Occasionally we may invite guest speakers for sessions. These may be people who have overcoming their social anxiety and are telling people their story or people speaking about another topic which may interest members.

Other Sessions

Occasionally we do something a little different to add variety to the group. This could be anything including a talk on understanding and overcoming social anxiety, partaking in role play or something entirely different. Changes to the normal schedule will be shown in the session schedule on this website..