Self-help groups exist where people with similar problems or issues get together to discuss their difficulties and bounce ideas off one another.

A number of websites have links to groups for all kinds of people.

One of the largest of these is www.selfhelp.org.uk which has a lot of information for anybody wanting to set up such a group.

www.patient.co.uk also hosts a very comprehensive list.

See what kinds of self-help groups exist in your area and find out the story behind them and the people who run them.