Heart Support Groups
We have nearly 300 affiliated Heart
Support Groups bringing hope and a healthier lifestyle to thousands
of patients and carers across England and Wales.
These groups are open to anyone with any kind of heart condition
as well as their partners and families.
By patients, for patients
Heart Support Groups groups are as
varied as the people in them.
Some are large organisations offering a
weekly programme of activities, while others are much smaller and
meet once a month.
They offer the chance to share experiences in a friendly
and mutually supportive environment, and provide a wide range of
other benefits and activities for their members.
As soon as you walk into one of our meetings, all you hear is
laughter.
We've all got the same problems - that's what brought us together - but we all have an incredibly positive outlook. That's what keeps people coming back.
These could include:
- exercise sessions with qualified instructors
- walking, cycling and swimming groups
- coffee mornings and other social events
- evenings with guest speakers
- links to other services such as quitting smoking
- hospital visiting
- yoga and relaxation classes, and
- visits to places of interest.
Where is my nearest group?
To find your nearest group in England or Wales
take a look at our online map. You can
also call the Heart Helpline
on 0300 330 3311 (similar cost to 01 and
02 numbers) or email us.
If you live in Scotland,
please contact Chest, Heart and
Stroke Scotland on 0131 225 6963.
If you live in Northern
Ireland, please contact Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and
Stroke on 028 9032 0184.
How can I set up a new Heart Support Group?
Download
Getting going and keeping going, our step-by-step guide that
runs you through everything you need to know from getting a
group off the ground, to getting your group affiliated.
You can also order the toolkit on 0870 600
6566 and quote publication code HSG.
If you'd like to talk to somebody about setting up a new group
call our Heart Support Group team on 0207 554
0426.
How can I get an existing group affiliated?
Any group can affiliate and the process is
straightforward and free. The benefits
include:
- Access to a £500 start-up grant for new
groups
- Free public liability insurance
- Access to BHF resources
- Opportunities for networking and
training
- Help with recruitment and
publicity
Call our Heart Support Group team on
0207 554 0426 or read more in
our Heart
Support Group toolkit.
We have a series of
helpful factsheets for you to download:
-
Support for your group is a guide to services and
resources that can help you find new ways to help your
members.
-
Getting your message across is packed full of ideas
to help you bring new people into your group and get you noticed in
your local community.
-
Finding the funding you need provides information
about what to do and where to look for the financial support for
your Heart Support Group.
- Our
Travel Insurance factsheet provides a list of suggested
insurance companies for heart patients.
We also have a
brand new poster for groups to advertise their activities
in their local area. The poster can be displayed in GP centres,
hospitals and BHF Shops.