Group Support

1. Introduction: What is Group Support?

Group Support at Balance is a safe, welcoming space where people come together to connect, share experiences, and support each other. Guided by peer support workers and grounded in lived experience, our groups offer a chance to build resilience, learn practical tools, and find strength in community.

Each group is unique, shaped by different therapeutic skills, tools, activities, and spaces. Some focus on learning strategies for wellbeing, others on creative expression, and others on shared kōrero and reflection. This variety means you can choose the group that best fits your journey, knowing that every space is designed to be supportive, accessible, and empowering.

Whether you’re looking for encouragement, new strategies, or simply a place to belong, Group Support is about walking alongside each other - creating wellbeing together, one conversation, one skill at a time.

2. Types of Groups Offered

Every group at Balance is unique - shaped by different therapeutic skills, tools, activities, and spaces. This variety means you can choose the group that best fits your journey.

Wellbeing Skills Groups
These groups focus on building practical strategies to support mental health and resilience. You’ll learn tools for managing stress, regulating emotions, and strengthening coping skills in everyday life. Sessions are guided by therapeutic frameworks but delivered in a relaxed, peer friendly way, so you can take away techniques that feel useful and adaptable.

• Resiliency 101
• Mindfulness
• Secret to Mondays

Peer Support Circles
Peer Support Circles are grounded in lived experience. They create a safe space for open kōrero, mutual encouragement, and shared wisdom. Everyone has the chance to listen and be heard, with no pressure to share more than you’re comfortable with. These groups remind us that we’re not alone, and that connection itself can be healing.

• The Posse (AOD support group)
• The Sharing Circle

Creative Expression Groups
Our creative groups open up space for exploration, play, and expression through different mediums. These sessions might involve art, writing, music, movement, or other hands on activities — all designed to support wellbeing in ways that go beyond talking. The focus is on process, discovery, and connection, not on producing something “perfect.” Creative groups give people a chance to engage their senses, try new approaches, and find fresh pathways to resilience and self understanding.

• Art Group
• Splash Centre

Social & Community
Our social and community groups are all about connection, belonging, and enjoying time together in a relaxed environment. These spaces provide opportunities to meet new people, share kai, and build friendships without the pressure of structured activities. They’re designed to nurture a sense of community, offering lightness, laughter, and companionship alongside the more therapeutic groups.

• Thursday Evening Social

3. How It Works & What to expect

Our groups are free, open, and guided by trained peer support workers who create safe, respectful spaces. You can choose how much you share — listening is just as valued as speaking. Each group offers therapeutic tools, activities, or kōrero designed to support wellbeing, with confidentiality and accessibility at the heart of every session. Kai/inu are provided, activities are adapted for comfort, and there’s no cost to attend - just a chance to connect, learn, and grow alongside others.

4. Practical Details

All our groups are held in safe, accessible community spaces around Whanganui. Venues are chosen to be welcoming and easy to reach, so you can feel comfortable attending. Details about times, locations, and upcoming sessions are regularly updated — you can find the latest information on our What’s On page.