Peer Support Group Code of Conduct

To ensure the confidentiality and safeguarding of everyone in the Peer Support Group, anyone who attends a meeting, whether in person or online, agrees to follow the Bipolar UK Code of Conduct.

If you go to an in-person group, you agree to:

• Use your first name only, and never share personal contact information.

• Respect the role of the group facilitators, who may be Bipolar UK staff or volunteers.

• Keep your language respectful and kind, avoiding anything offensive, including swearing, and comments that are sexually suggestive, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or racist.

• Be kind, listen to others and allow individuals to have their say. Please do not speak over others, and silence your mobile phone.

• Take time out if needed. Discussions can have an emotional impact, so if you need to take a few minutes away or leave completely, please let a facilitator know.

• Never talk about methods of self-harm or suicide, if you’re discussing suicidal thoughts or feelings.

• Maintain confidentiality, never sharing other members’ stories outside the meeting.

• Not come to a Support Group meeting if you’ve been drinking or using illegal substances, and do not drink alcohol or use illegal substances during a meeting.

• Not promote external services which you may gain from.

• Not continue the Support Group meeting once the session has ended.

• Not bring anyone under the age of 16 to a meeting. Meetings are open to 16- and 17-year-olds if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Never exploit other group members sexually, physically, emotionally, financially or in any other way.

Anyone who doesn’t follow the Bipolar UK Code of Conduct may be asked to leave the meeting.

We strongly discourage the use of WhatsApp and other external social chat groups due to the sharing of personal information. Any such social activities (both in person and online) are joined at your own risk, and are not covered by Bipolar UK’s privacy, moderation or safeguarding policies or procedures, and operate entirely outside of our guidelines.

Please note that confidentiality may be broken if the facilitator believes an attendee is at risk of harming themselves, harming others, or if they believe there is intent to commit a criminal action or if a criminal action has been committed.
Please remember that the views expressed within the group don’t necessarily represent the views of Bipolar UK.

If you go to an online group, you agree to:

• Use your first name only, and never share personal contact information.

• Respect the role of the group facilitators (also known as the host and co-host), who may be Bipolar UK staff or volunteers.

• Keep your language respectful and kind, avoiding anything offensive, including swearing, and comments that are sexually suggestive, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or racist.

• Be kind, listen to others and allow individuals to have their say. Please do not speak over others, and silence your mobile phone.

• Take time out if needed. Discussions can have an emotional impact so if you need to take a few minutes away or leave completely, please let a facilitator know via a private message.

• Never talk about methods of self-harm or suicide, if you’re discussing suicidal thoughts or feelings.

• Maintain confidentiality, never sharing other members’ stories outside the meeting.

• Not come to a Support Group meeting if you’ve been drinking or using illegal substances, and do not drink alcohol or use illegal substances during a meeting.

• Not promote external services which you may gain from.

• Not continue the Support Group meeting once the session has ended.

• Not bring anyone under the age of 16 to a meeting. Meetings are open to 16- and 17-year-olds if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Never exploit other group members sexually, physically, emotionally, financially or in any other way.

Anyone who doesn’t follow the Bipolar UK Code of Conduct may be asked to leave the meeting.

We strongly discourage the use of WhatsApp and other external social chat groups due to the sharing of personal information. Any such social activities (both in person and online) are joined at your own risk, and are not covered by Bipolar UK’s privacy, moderation or safeguarding policies or procedures, and operate entirely outside of our guidelines.

Please note that confidentiality may be broken if the facilitator believes an attendee is at risk of harming themselves, harming others, or if they believe there is intent to commit a criminal action or if a criminal action has been committed.

Please remember that the views expressed within the group don’t necessarily represent the views of Bipolar UK.