Aims

The aim of SUN is to support someone in the community by connecting them with like-minded people who are feeling the same. This helps someone to feel less isolated and can help them to manage their feelings before they reach the point where they can't cope.

SUN groups

SUN groups can support someone by helping them to share their experiences with others who are feeling the same, or similar.

These groups are for people who find their emotions are affecting their relationships, or have difficulty managing their emotions.

SUN groups are led by a facilitator with Lived Experience and a clinician facilitator.

Who can access SUN?

You can access SUN if you have been diagnosed with personality disorder

or

If you are struggling with symptoms associated with the condition, but don't yet have a diagnosis.

Without a diagnosis, you might be experiencing some of the following symptoms:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Consistent feelings of emptiness and uncertainty
  • Difficulty in connecting with your own emotions
  • Setting yourself unrealistically high standards
  • Difficulty with intense, overwhelming or fluctuating emotions, or difficulty recognising or expressing emotions
  • Feeling of behaviour being out of control and difficulty in setting and working towards goals
  • Difficulty in coping with or resolving conflicts
  • Difficulty connecting or empathising with others
  • Difficulty finding a balance between your own needs, and those of others
  • Current or previous use of alcohol or drugs to cope with difficulties

Download and print our SUN Information Leaflet.

How do SUN groups work?

Each group session works to support the group to share experiences and coping skills to get them through difficult times and to guide them to other resources that might benefit their mental health.

Group sessions are structured like this:

  • Check in: In each group we'll ask attendees to check in and check out, which will help us better understand how people are feeling and what they would like to talk about.
  • Discussion: Here we go over any themes raised in the Check in, so attendees can share experiences and provide one another with advice.
  • Check out: People can talk about how they are feeling at the end of the group, and plans to manage over the coming days as well as a chance to reflect on some of the benefits from the session.

SUN group timetable

Please let us know each week if you would like to book onto a group with at least 24 hours notice before the group.  If you have a RASP (Resource & Support Plan) you can drop-into face-to face groups however you may still book with 24 hours notice as spaces will be limited to 12.  

If you would like to book onto a group and find out the full address, please email us at  sun.kentandmedway@nhs.net or leave us a message via our answerphone service on 01622 926802.

Timetable (from October 2025)

Tuesdays

Gravesend (Methodist Church Community Centre)
10:00 - 12:30

Wednesdays

Margate (Cliftonville Community Centre)
10:00 - 12:30

Gillingham (Sunlight Centre)
14:30 - 17:00

Online (Microsoft Teams)
19:00 - 21:30

Thursdays

Online (Microsoft Teams)
09:30 - 12:00

Maidstone (Beechwood Hall)
10:00 - 12:30

Fridays

Canterbury (Umbrella Centre)
10:00 - 12:30

How can I join SUN?

You can attend SUN sessions if you live in Kent and Medway and are over 18 years old.

To sign up, please fill in a membership form.