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Dealing with people offloading

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Madwoman11 Fri 15-Oct-21 16:18:47

I am a member of a local group set up by a friend of mine which I help her with. There are some really lovely members and we generally enjoy the events however we have had problems with just a few people who spoil it by constantly going on about their health problems to anyone poor unsuspecting soul who is within earshot.
Some members are finding it really annoying and are close to leaving the group which would be such a shame.
I'm not talking about just an odd comment it's really full on in fact a couple of weeks ago I could hear a lady telling someone next to her about a long list of health problems - on and on.
Members have recently been reminded that although we are caring supportive people that the group rules are not to constantly offload to other members , and that we all have problems but the idea of the group is to distract us from them and have fun.
Any suggestions how to nip this in the bud please?

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Grandmabatty Fri 15-Oct-21 16:36:35

Have a two minute slot where everyone gets to offload to someone and vice versa and then no more moans are allowed. Keep reminding people about the purpose of the group. If someone starts up, the leader(s) should say, "I'll have to stop you there Vera, we've all had our sharing session. Now let's talk about..." Or interrupt them and ask to speak to the long suffering soul they're annoying.

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MayBeMaw Fri 15-Oct-21 17:41:42

You could refer them to GransNet?

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lemongrove Fri 15-Oct-21 18:04:24

?

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lemongrove Fri 15-Oct-21 18:11:07

Madwoman I think the group all need to be told the ‘group rules’ by being reminded at the start of meetings that the aim is to be positive and distract from stories of misery and health probs.After a few sessions they will all get it ( hopefully).
After being involved with older people ( am one myself!?) in groups, you can’t be too vague about it or embarrassed about trying to enforce it.In my experience selfish people will never easily give up the chance to dominate others with sob stories.

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