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Advertising Support Groups

  • 1.  Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-02-2019 08:08 PM

    Hi all, 

    We recently completed a support group survey and I am now looking to start a few bereavement support groups based on those results. I sent the surveys by mail and got a good response rate. However, I mailed an announcement for our first group that needs RSVP and no one has responded. We are scheduled to start on Saturday, but will cancel if no one is going to attend. 

    Do you have any advice on advertising and recruiting participants for groups? 
    Thanks in advance, 
    -Reid



    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 08:50 AM
      |   view attached
    Reid: one strategy we have used is to send the announcement as a postcard. Make the info side 'pretty' and user friendly with the addition of graphics and pictures. No one can resist the urge to turn the postcard over and see what's on the back. But an envelope that a caregiver needs to open, with your Hospice logo and return address on the outside, can trigger a tiny moment of dread... 'what grief-y thing are they sending me now?'  Do be aware that this half-page size large postcard will not save you money over an envelope. You only get the postcard postage rate with a smaller postcard. I've used quarter page size (on card stock) which fits in with lower postage. But they don't look as professional to me. 

    Getting people to actually show up is a challenge. I, too, struggle with offering resources that meet the needs of our bereaved constituency. And we have to constantly acknowledge the difference between seeing an opportunity that seems useful, and actually participating... 

    I look forward to the input of others on this important Hospice Bereavement topic.

    ------------------------------
    Kathy Campbell, LCSW, CSW-G
    Manager of Volunteer Services
    VITAS Healthcare of Fort Worth
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    docx
    postcard grief group half page Bedford.docx   48 KB 1 version
    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 12:16 PM
    "What grief-y thing are they sending me now?" I love this and it's how it feels sometimes. I like the idea of a postcard, one less barrier to the item. I'll look into this

    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-04-2019 08:58 AM
    We offer a 6-week Grief Basics Class throughout the year in addition to once a month groups.  I don't advertise much other than to remind our hospice families multiple times per year that we're available to help them if they feel the need for it.  We seem to never be short on participants.  Part of our success is that we've been doing this for so long that people know of our program before they need it.  Another part is that we get quite a few referrals from physicians' offices, other therapists, and funeral homes.  I've been in this community for so long that these other professionals either know me​ or know of me.  It seems that networking with other professionals is a good way to meet grief needs in the community.  If a doctor says you need grief counseling, it's like a teenager who hears a message from a parent. If someone else says the same thing as well, then it must be true--but only after someone else says it.
    Years ago on this chat line, semantics was part of this discussion.  As a result of that discussion,  I decided to use the word "class" vs. "support group" because the latter seems to have negative connotations.  Since I made the change, we are rarely short on participants.

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    James Ellis, EdD, CT
    St Elizabeth Hospice
    Northern Kentucky
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-04-2019 01:59 PM
    Oh, I like the idea of changing the word group. The language used is important. I can see how a group might be less inviting than a class. Thanks for sharing.

    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-05-2019 09:02 AM
    As you could see from the sample postcard I sent, we call our meetings 'Workshops'. Which is also the result of survey which revealed that people were not interested in a 'support group'.

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    Kathy Campbell, LCSW, CSW-G
    Manager of Volunteer Services
    VITAS Healthcare of Fort Worth
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 05-13-2019 10:20 AM
    Thank you for your input. I am new to this area and am struggling to figure out how to get my group going. We have an ongoing group that is well attended but I only got two people for my 6 week group.​
    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 09:36 AM

    ​Our agency uses postcards. They are sent monthly to all of our bereaved for the year post death. In the past I sent out multiple bereavement items in a standard envelope and many bereaved said they had not received the support group information which was included. I recommend the postcards although it is very time consuming. I have also used local radio stations, newspapers, mailing the information to funeral homes, church bulletins and Facebook.

    The "RSVP" would be a drawback to me. I believe it takes a lot of courage to go to a support group so having to call and make a reservation would make it more difficult.



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    Katie Lenze
    Penn Highlands Community Nurses Hospice
    St. Marys, PA
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 12:18 PM
    Hmm... yeah, I see how the RSVP could present an extra barrier. I hadn't considered that.

    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 09:36 AM
    ​Hi Reid;
    I am not sure what you included in your survey about support groups.  It could be as simple as not being the best day of the week or time for most people.  It could be that they looking for something loss specific. It could be that there are other agencies doing groups at the same.  And unfortunately, sometimes people don't RSVP.
    We advertise out groups in our newsletter, on FaceBook, word of mouth, when we make our bereavements calls, sometimes in the local newspaper, at funeral homes, churches, senior centers and the like. Some of our groups thrive and some don't. Please don't give up.  Once you get your core group going, you'll be good to go.
    Hope that helps,
    Diane

    ------------------------------
    Diane Snyder Cowan, CHPCA,MA,MT-BC
    Director of Western Reserve Grief Services
    Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 12:20 PM
    Thanks. These are good ideas for places to advertise.

    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 09:48 AM
    ​Hi Reid
    the only thing I can add to what has already been said is that we have had some luck with using volunteers (or staff) to personally call and invite the caregiver to the group.

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    Robin Fiorelli LCSW
    Sr. Director of Bereavement and Volunteers
    VITAS
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-03-2019 12:20 PM
    Thanks, this is another great idea.

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    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-04-2019 11:53 AM
    Reid: I'd be curious to see your original survey if you're willing to share. Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Kathy Campbell, LCSW, CSW-G
    Manager of Volunteer Services
    VITAS Healthcare of Fort Worth
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-05-2019 09:11 AM
    ​Hey Reid,
    Related to what Diane said re: best day of the week or time/loss specific: our most well-attended, successful group is our spouses-only group. We host it on a weekday, 3pm-4:30pm (most folks in that group don't want to drive at night), and it's specific to the loss of a spouse or partner. Every group expresses appreciation that the group is specific to their particular loss. Some groups bond well & continue to meet monthly on their own after our 6-week course finishes. Also, we print a color flyer with graphics on glossy paper, then simply fold it in half, attach a round sticker to close, add return and address labels. Not sure what the postage is on that, but folks simply tear open the adhesive sticker to read the flyer. No envelopes. Most attendees are our own bereaved clients, some come from a competing hospice that doesn't have groups. Some folks are referred from our local hospital. We used to send hundreds of flyers to churches but never got folks that way.
    Good luck!

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer N. Mann, M.Ed.
    Bereavement Coordinator
    Sentara Hospice
    2000 Beery Rd.
    Harrisonburg, VA. 22801
    (540) 564-5833
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    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-29-2019 08:07 AM
    Reid, Can I see your original survey was well?
    I think its a great idea.

    Joel Fletcher
    Bereavement Coordinator
    Commonwealth Hospice | Danville, VA​
    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-18-2019 01:56 PM
    One more question on this topic: When do you send invites/calls/ads for your support groups? I was planning on sending at about one month out and phone calls two weeks before. Though I'm not sure if that's too early/late...

    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-19-2019 09:23 AM
    Reid: your time frame is typical for what we do. We get a fair response with that time frame of mailing an invitation approx 4 weeks before the event. We do not follow up with phone calls; not enough manpower.

    Good luck!

    ------------------------------
    Kathy Campbell, LCSW, CSW-G
    Manager of Volunteer Services
    VITAS Healthcare of Fort Worth
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Advertising Support Groups

    Posted 04-19-2019 05:58 PM
    Thanks for sharing.

    ------------------------------
    Reid Jacobs, ACHP-SW, MSW
    Bereavement Services Coordinator
    Faith and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Pasadena, CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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