The spirit of the group
The group aims to provide a safe space where socially anxious people can meet and spend some constructive time to work through
their social anxiety.
The group is based on a self-help approach, where the participants are free to participate only to the extent that they want to.
As such, there is no required attendance and participants are not expected to do or say anything specific.
The SASH group is not a therapy group.
The group aims to provide a playground where participants can experiment with new behaviours and can maybe see themselves and others
in a different light, supporting a process of growth and self-exploration.
As such, the activities of the group can well be therapeutic, but there is no claim that the group will provide solutions to
individual problems.
The activities of the group
After a general introduction about the group and practical details are given, the group engages in a number of different activities.
The purpose of such activities is to explore our perception of ourselves and of the people around us, and to make this exploration
as comfortable as is possible.
Some activities are individual and do not involve any interaction with others.
Some take place in pairs, and might be as simple as having a short chat with another person about how you feel in the moment.
Other activities involve the whole group, for example when somebody wants to answer questions asked by the group.
Some other examples of activities that often take place at the group:
- Visualisations
- Relaxation Exercises
- Using affirmations
- Exploration of eye contact
- Goal oriented exercises
- Role-playing
Meeting Time and Breaks
Meetings start at 6.30pm and end at 9pm. There is usually a 15 minute break halfway through the meeting.
Cost
There is a charge of £5 which goes to cover the room rental and administration expenses.
About the group facilitator
Stefano set up the group in July 2004 and has run it since.
Stefano knows social anxiety from personal experience, as he used to be very socially anxious when he was younger.
The group is Stefano’s personal project, a way to contribute something positive to the lives of socially anxious people.
Frequently Asked Questions
The London Social Anxiety Self-Help Group (known as the SASH Group) is an open group which meets regularly in Central London.
Its aim is to support socially anxious people in their process of self-exploration and in creating a rewarding social life for themselves.
What happens during a meeting?
In a nutshell, a meeting is a gathering of people who suffer from social anxiety, with the purpose of doing something about it.
This purpose is pursued through a number of activities that take place during the session.
The activities are somewhat different from session to session, and therefore no two meetings are exactly the same.
Visit the Feedback section of this website to read about individual experiences of the group.
Do I need to bring anything with me to the meeting?
You will not need to take anything with you to the meeting.
How many people are in a meeting?
Numbers vary, usually between 10 and 14. The maximum number that the group can take is 18.
Are the participants always the same? Do they all know one another?
Every meeting is a self-contained event, and therefore there are no attendance requirements.
Each meeting has usually a mixture of new people and people who have already been at the group.
How often do I need to come to meetings?
That is completely up to you. If you feel that the group can be helpful to you, you can come as often as you like (provided that there is space available).
How can the group help me?
The group can help in many different ways. Some examples are:
I would like to come to a meeting, but I am too scared!
Well… thanks for being honest! …And know that a lot of other people feel like you.
Everyone is likely to be a bit anxious before a meeting.
After all, if you were NOT anxious about going to a meeting, why would you want to go to a social anxiety self-help group in the first place??
Visit the Feedback sextion of this website to read about how other people have experienced their first meeting.
What happens if I get really anxious during a meeting?
The group is the right place for you to get anxious.
Because you can do something about it.
Examples? You can say that you are anxious, or you can ask others how they feel, or if anyone has ever felt like you are feeling,
or you can leave the room and take a break, or you can have a one to one chat with somebody else in the room, or…
Anything else that you feel like doing.
The group is there to provide support to one another. If you feel anxious at the group, that is OK.
I am interested in the group and would like to have more information.
Please email stefano_londonsa@onetel.com (mind the undescore in the middle!)
How do I sign up to the next meeting?
You need to get in touch with Stefano, on stefano@sashgroup.org
Location
The meetings are held at the Open Centre, which is on 188 Old Street (EC1), very close to the underground station (Old Street - Northern Line). See map below.
The Open Center is a therapy and self-development centre, where a number of practitioners offer a diverse range of approaches to personal growth.
Both group work and individual work are available.
More information on the activities of the Open Centre can be found here
Travel Directions
Underground
Old Street underground station – (Northern Line): Take EXIT 6 of the tube station and walk past the Shell petrol station. The Open Centre is on your left, right after the Fresh & Wild shop.
By Bus
You can catch buses 55, 243 and 505 on Old Street (stopping right in front of the Open Centre) and numbers 5, 43, 76, 141, 214 and 271 on City Road.
Next Meeting Dates
Visit www.sashgroup.org to see the dates of the next SASH meetings
New Sessions Facilitated by Participants
We are introducing sessions that are facilitated by group members. Anyone who has attended the SASH group can volunteer to facilitate a session.
This can be a great opportunity to increase exposure, practice leading a group etc
If you are interested in this, please email Stefano.
A separate session on how to run the group can also be organized for the benefit of volunteers, if there is demand for it.
If you want to attend a meeting, you must reserve a place for it by emailing Stefano on stefano@sashgroup.org
a few days before the meeting's date.
Meetings start at 6.30pm and end at 9pm.
Workshops on social anxiety
Regular group workshops are run in central London for people interested in a deeper exploration of their social anxiety and of ways to resolve it.
Visit www.sashgroup.org for the next workshop dates and for more information
If you want to attend a meeting, you must reserve a place for it by emailing Stefano on stefano@sashgroup.org
a few days before the meeting's date.
Meetings start at 6.30pm and end at 9pm.