Osaka Self-Help Support Center, c/o Osaka Volunteer Association, 1-5-27, Doshin, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi Osaka 530-0035 Japan. Phone: +81-6-6352-0430 (Japanese)

WHAT IS OSAKA SELF-HELP SUPPORT CENTER?

Osaka Self-Help Support Center originated from a working group formed by self-helpers, volunteers, and researchers in 1985. The working group engaged in researches on self-help groups and held workshops. OSHSC was established formally in 1993 with the aim of spreading the value of self-help groups, helping people to join in self-help groups, and supporting self-help groups.

Osaka Self-Help Support Center is run on the basis of citizenship and shares the philosophy of grass-roots movement with other voluntary actions. One of the most important funding sources of OSHSC is the membership benefits from the members and the associate members.

OSAKA SELF-HELP SUPPORT CENTER OFFERS...

• INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE
  Several hundreds of self-help groups are active in Osaka Prefecture Area. OSHSC gathers and provides information on self-help groups for people who would like to join or are interested in self-help groups, including professionals.
  
  PHONE: 06-6352-0430 (14:00-18:00; Just on Saturdays, Japanese Only)
  • OSHSC keeps confidentiality.
  • OSHSC doesn't provide a psychotherapeutic counseling.

• SUPPORT FOR STARTING A SELF-HELP GROUP
  If you would like to start a new self-help group, OSHSC can help you to find potential members and assist you in starting a group. If a caller cannot find a needed self-help group through the information and referral service, OSHSC can make a list of people who have similar interests and provide an opportunity to meet each other.

• WORKSHOPS & SELF-HELP FAIRS
  OSHSC holds events like workshops and self-help fairs. You can get information and knowledge on self-help groups at the events.

• PUBLICATIONS
  You can purchase some publications by OSHSC including the reports on the workshops. In 1998, OSHSC compiled Self-Help Groups, which consisted of the stories by self-helpers. OSHSC is also engaged in translating a book on self-help groups from English into Japanese.

(Since Jan 16th, 1999)