Posted 6th March 2026
Coffee and Chat Family and Friends Group
Introduction
The ‘Coffee and Chat Family and Friends Group’ is an ongoing initiative developed within the Solihull Early Intervention Service at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT). The group is facilitated by the team’s Family Intervention Lead, Sue Rainey. Sue oversees all aspects of family support, including family interventions. Family interventions are a recommended psychological therapy in the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for psychosis (NICE 2014). Early Intervention Services are required to offer family interventions and carer support. This is audited via the National Clinical Audit for Psychosis (NCAP) on an annual basis. Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT) is the model of family intervention utilised within BSMHFT.
As Family Interventions Lead Sue has a number roles;
- Delivery of BFT
- Supervising other staff in the delivery of BFT
- Overseeing allocation of families to the team for BFT
- Delivery of a 10-week psychoeducation programme on psychosis offered to carers both in group and individual formats.
In addition to the formal psychoeducation programme, the team have also introduced an informal ‘Coffee and Chat’ group for families and carers whose loved one is receiving care from the early intervention team. This article outlines the purpose and structure of the ‘Coffee and Chat’ group, the rationale for its development, and feedback gathered from participating families. It is intended to inform wider mental health teams of our approach to enhancing family engagement and wellbeing.
Rationale for the Group
The Coffee and Chat group was established as a follow-on opportunity for families who have completed our carer psychoeducation programme or are engaged in ongoing family intervention. Many families expressed the need for continued connection, informal support, and opportunities to share experiences beyond structured educational sessions.
Key aims include:
- Reducing isolation
- Normalising and reducing stigma
- Peer support through shared experiences
- Promoting ongoing engagement
Group Format and Delivery
The group is facilitated by the team family intervention lead with support from the wider team where possible. The group meets once a month on a Saturday morning at a local café in Solihull. A Saturday was chosen to allow working families to attend the group more easily. Facilitating the group in a local café allows for an informal atmosphere and easier access via public transport.
The group involves informal discussion based on the needs raised by attendees. Group members share their experiences and offer each other support. Having the family work lead present to facilitate the group enables opportunity for families to ask questions about the service and issues related to the care. Their presence can also provide a sense of safety as the group has a lead who can contain any issues arising and offer support to individual group members if required. The family work lead is also able to welcome new members to the group, easing any initial anxieties for new members joining the group.
Engagement of Families
Engagement has remained consistently positive. The informal, community-based setting encourages attendance from those who may feel uncomfortable in clinical environments. Families report appreciating flexibility, a sense of community, regular contact with a practitioner, and opportunities for continued learning about psychosis and recovery.
Feedback from Families
Group members were asked to provide written feedback on the group, which was resoundingly positive;
“It’s good to know we’re not the only ones going through this.”
“Hearing others’ experiences gives us hope and practical ideas.”
“It’s relaxed and friendly – not like an appointment.”
“It helps us stay connected and reduces the worry between formal sessions.”
“Talking openly reduces the stigma we sometimes feel when explaining psychosis to others.”
Conclusion
The Coffee and Chat Family and Friends Group provides a vital extension to our family intervention and psychoeducation pathways. It supports ongoing engagement, reduces isolation, and offers a safe space for families to share lived experiences. The positive feedback we continue to receive demonstrates the value of accessible, informal peer support within early intervention services.
We encourage other mental health teams to consider implementing similar community based initiatives that complement formal family interventions and promote long-term wellbeing for carers.