Trial Whatsapp peer to peer support group terms and conditions

The purpose of the trial peer to peer support groups for stroke survivors, family or carers, is to provide a support network and create a trusting community offering support to each other, and importantly, benefiting from participation within the community or communities.

Disclaimer: 

This Whatsapp group was set up by, funded and fully organised by stroke survivors.  Whilst NHS staff have been involved on a consultation basis, this Whatsapp group is not an NHS intervention.  As such, the NHS does not have a Duty of Care for any of the participants.

This Whatsapp group does not have a moderator (i.e. someone who reads all the posts) and there are no qualified medical or social care staff involved in responding.

This Whatsapp group is not an appropriate source of urgent help for either physical or mental health problems.

If you have acute physical symptoms, including BEFAST stroke symptoms you should seek urgent medical help by calling 999.

Posting Guidelines

Rather than have a strict form of terms and conditions for group involvement we ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Respect Privacy:
  In a trust based environment it is essential that all participants' contact numbers (including name and number) are not shared outside the group, and that all discussions are treated confidentially. 
• Respect and Civility:
  Engage in respectful, constructive, and helpful communication. 
• Inappropriate Content:
  Under no circumstances share any content that could be interpreted as inappropriate, upsetting, or offensive, including language that is offensive or discriminatory. 
• No Advertising:
  Advertising or promoting for-profit products or services is prohibited within the group. 
• Relevant Discussions:
  Keep conversations focused on the group's purpose, avoiding off-topic or irrelevant messages. 
• Appropriate Timing:
  Be mindful of sending messages at inappropriate or antisocial times, such as before 8 am or after 10 pm unless it is an emergency. 

Responsibilities of Group Members:

• Consent: All members should consent to being part of the group or groups, as their phone number and full name will be visible to all members. 
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• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality regarding all discussions within the group. 
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• Respectful Communication: Engage in polite and respectful communication with all members. 
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• No Bullying or Harassment: Any form of bullying, harassment, or discrimination will result in immediate expulsion. 
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• Avoid Unnecessary Messages: If a message is not relevant to the majority of members, it's recommended to message the person directly instead of the group. 

Group Administrator Rights:

• Enforcement:
  Group administrators have the absolute right to remove members who violate the group guidelines.
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• Monitoring:
  Administrators may monitor conversations to help and support when needed and may ask members to remove inappropriate messages. 
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• Privacy and Consent:
  Administrators should ensure that all members consent to being part of the group before adding them, as member's mobile phone numbers will be visible to all

Urgent Medical Treatment

If you are in acute mental distress or if you are considering ending your life, please follow the advice below:

If you feel you cannot keep yourself safe, go to A&E at your nearest hospital.  Call 999 for an ambulance if you need to.

There will always be a mental health professional on duty who you can talk to.

For those living in South West London, urgent advice and crisis support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - please phone the following numbers

If you live in Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster: 0800 0234 650

If you live in Wandsworth: 0800 028 8000

If you live in Hammersmith and Fulham: 0800 328 4444

Contact a Samaritan on 116 123

“If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won't judge or tell you what to do.”

Name of organisation

Stroke-survivors.org

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