Promote your Grow group
There are many people still struggling who haven’t yet found Grow. Keeping your group visible — through people, referrals, displays and a little advertising — means more of them can find the support they need.
1. Reach a quorum of three
Once you have a base of people reliably attending each week, adding more becomes easier. Many forming groups struggle to reach a stable quorum of three — the minimum for a meeting. A natural knack for promotion, genuine care for others, and a willingness to lead all help you gain and keep members.
2. Aim to start with five
Even with a dedicated two or three, it’s worth gaining a couple more before your first meeting so attendance stays consistent — five is a healthy average that holds up even if one or two can’t make it. In the early weeks, meet socially first to build support, friendships and a shared understanding. Then hold your first formal meeting — and keep the socials going alongside it.
3. Community notice boards
An advert on a supermarket or community-centre noticeboard is a simple, effective way to spark interest (see tip 6 for suggested wording).
4. Ask for referrals
Ask local health professionals, or a nurse at the local mental health service, for referrals. Leave a brochure and lend a Grow Journey Book, then follow up a week later when you collect the book.
5. Brochures on display
Brochures are free to order — ask to place them in hospitals, community centres, churches, CABs, and doctors’, counsellors’ and therapists’ waiting rooms. Just be mindful that too many very unwell newcomers at once can disrupt a settled, working group.
6. Free local-paper listing
Take advantage of free “Community Event” advertising in your local paper. The National Office can help word your advert to Grow’s standard. For example:
7. Promote via Meetup.com
Start or join a social mental-health friendship group on Meetup.com, host events, and invite people to your Grow group. A subscription is around $90 for six months and has worked well for the Auckland groups — talk to someone in Grow about covering the cost until COGS funding can be sought.
8. Social media
If you’re so inclined, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn are all options. Please message the National Office for authority to start a social media page on behalf of Grow.
9. Socials & fun events
Socials are central to Grow and to cementing friendships — shared meals, a weekend retreat, ten-pin bowling, a card night, anything enjoyable. Tie them in with Meetup to welcome more people to your group.
10. Training manual tips
Once your group is running, ask the National Office for a copy of the Grow Training Manual for more tips on running a great group.
Need a hand promoting your group?
Help is always available within the Grow community — just reach out.