How we can help your mental health support group
Across the UK, thousands of mental health support groups provide essential peer to peer support. These groups offer a safe space for people facing anxiety, depression, bereavement, financial stress, caring responsibilities or other challenges. A listening ear and a supportive environment can make a significant difference to those who attend.
Many groups meet in hired venues such as community centres, churches or local authority buildings. These facilities often require public liability insurance as a condition of use. Insurance can also protect trustees, facilitators and volunteers if an allegation is made against the group or its organisers.
Our advisers understand the needs of small voluntary and community groups, as well as larger support networks. We help you identify the risks linked to your activities and arrange cover that reflects the way your group operates.
Who this insurance is for
We arrange cover for a wide range of mental health support settings, including for example:
- Peer to peer support groups
- Counselling groups offering one to one or group sessions
- Bereavement or loss support
- Carer support groups
- Hobby or activity based wellbeing groups such as sewing or painting
- Family and financial support sessions
- Community led wellbeing projects with trained volunteers or facilitators
Whether your group is entirely volunteer led or includes paid staff or qualified counsellors, we can advise on suitable insurance.
Why mental health support groups need insurance
Even with careful planning and a supportive environment, risks still exist. These include:
- Requirements from hired venues for public liability insurance
- Injury or third party property damage arising at meetings or activities
- Claims brought by volunteers, who are treated as unpaid employees by insurers
- Allegations surrounding advice, counselling or one-to-one support
- Use of items such as laptops, projectors or other equipment
- Additional risk exposure linked to fundraising or awareness events
Insurance helps protect the group, its volunteers, trustees and participants. It also provides peace of mind to those leading the group that your policy will support you when an incident occurs.
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What types of cover we can provide
Our expert advisers will talk through your activities and design policies that meet your needs. Cover for mental health support groups can include for example:
Public liability insurance
Often required by premises managers. This protects your group if someone claims injury or property damage caused by your activities.
Employers liability insurance
Mandatory if you have paid staff, but also important for groups using volunteers, as volunteers can be treated as employees in insurance policy wordings.
Professional indemnity insurance
Relevant where counselling, structured advice or therapeutic support is offered, whether delivered by trained volunteers or qualified professionals.
Trustee and management liability
Protects those responsible for governance, decision making and oversight within your organisation.
Equipment and contents cover
For laptops, projectors or other items used as part of your sessions.
Personal accident and money cover
Additions for groups that handle money or wish to provide defined benefits in the event of certain injuries.
Additional cover options are available depending on your activities and the risks you face.
How our advisers support you
Our team has advised many mental health groups This experience enables us to:
- Understand the sensitivities around mental health support and the vulnerabilities of some service users
- Explore the balance between peer support, counselling activity and any structured work that may affect your risk exposure
- Identify gaps in cover that might be overlooked, such as volunteer protection or advice related exposures
- Support you with practical guidance on insurance, risk management and safeguarding considerations
- Approach insurers that offer policies designed specifically for community and voluntary organisations
We aim to make the process clear, straightforward and supportive, allowing you to focus on providing important help to those who need it.
See what our clients say
They were able to provide cover for what we needed & unlike our previous insurer we did not need to buy a policy that covered several aspects we did not need. I would recommend them.
Wow! What can I say; absolutely fabulous service from Access where nothing was too much trouble. Courteous, responsive and extremely quick in setting up our non-profit group’s insurance.
We felt like lost sheep & not sure what we needed. We were very happy to be guided by their expertise. The staff were extremely helpful and very patient. We would highly recommend them. Excellent…
…it was critical that we had the right cover. Despite the lead time that was available to get the quote in, reviewed and agreed Access Insurance met this challenge head on.
Join mental health support groups who trust Access to arrange their insurance
Your questions answered.
Groups meeting in hired venues are usually required to hold public liability cover. It also protects you if someone alleges they were injured or their property was damaged during your activities.
Volunteers are sometimes treated as employees for insurance purposes. Employers’ liability insurance helps protect the group if a volunteer brings a claim.
If your group offers counselling, structured advice or therapeutic support, professional indemnity is recommended. We will discuss your activities and advise accordingly.
Yes. Activities such as sewing, painting or craft sessions can usually be included – just let us know what your activities involve and we’ll build a suitable policy that works for you.
These activities can carry additional sensitivities and risks. We will ensure they are considered when designing your policy.
Not at all. An adviser will guide you through the process, recommend a policy that’s suitable for you and help you understand what it is that is covered and what is not.