Support meetings

Living with aspergillosis can feel isolating. Our online support meetings provide a safe, friendly space for
patients, carers and supporters to talk with others who understand, share experiences and ask questions.

Book a place on a support meeting

We now use Microsoft Bookings to manage all National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) patient support meetings.
All meetings are booked using a single booking page.

👉 Booking page:

https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]/

On the booking page you will be able to choose from the following services:

• Tuesday Social chat/support: Aspergillosis
• Thursday social chat/support (aspergillosis)
• Monthly Aspergillosis Support Meeting

After booking, you will receive a confirmation email containing your
Microsoft Teams joining link.
Please check your junk or spam folder if you do not see it.

Tuesday Social chat/support: Aspergillosis

An informal weekly online session for people affected by aspergillosis, including patients, carers and supporters.

• Relaxed, friendly discussion
• No presentations or pressure to speak
• Microsoft Teams with live captions where available

To book: visit the

Microsoft Bookings page

and select Tuesday Social chat/support: Aspergillosis.

Thursday social chat/support (aspergillosis)

An informal weekly online session for people affected by aspergillosis, including patients, carers and supporters.

• Peer support and shared experiences
• No set agenda
• Microsoft Teams with live captions where available

To book: visit the

Microsoft Bookings page

and select Thursday social chat/support (aspergillosis).

Monthly Aspergillosis Support Meeting

A longer, more structured online meeting led by the NAC team.

• First Friday of each month
• 1:00 – 3:00 pm (UK time)
• Short talks, updates, and questions & discussion

To book: visit the

Microsoft Bookings page

and select Monthly Aspergillosis Support Meeting.

Joining Microsoft Teams (no account needed)

You do not need a Microsoft Teams account to attend.

• Open the Teams link from your booking confirmation email
• Select Continue on this browser or Join on the Teams app
• If prompted, choose Join as a guest and enter your name

Other ways to connect and get support

Not everyone finds live online meetings the right fit. The National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) CARES team
also supports several other ways for patients and carers to connect, share experiences and stay involved.

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National Aspergillosis Centre Support (UK)

This is a large, friendly Facebook support group created and moderated by the NAC CARES team.
It currently has over 3,000 members.

The group is a safe place for people affected by aspergillosis to:

• Ask questions and share experiences
• Learn from others living with the condition
• Feel less isolated and better supported

Who it’s for: patients, carers and supporters affected by aspergillosis.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspergillussupport/

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CPA Research Volunteers

Help shape the future of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) research.

The National Aspergillosis Centre (Manchester, UK) is inviting patients and carers affected by
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) to get involved in shaping our research —
both now and in the years ahead.

This is not just about providing samples. We are looking for people who are willing to be involved in:

• Identifying research priorities
• Helping design studies
• Commenting on patient information
• Interpreting and sharing research findings

Many research projects cannot be funded unless patients and carers are meaningfully involved at every stage.
By joining this group, you can help strengthen funding applications and support more research into living with CPA.

At present, we are mainly seeking UK-based patients and carers, but anyone is welcome to
register their interest as opportunities may expand in future.

You can learn more about how patient and public involvement works across Manchester’s research programmes here:
https://www.manchesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/public-and-patients/

Join CPA Research Volunteers

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Telegram support groups

We recognise that not everyone wants to use social media platforms such as Facebook.
Telegram allows us to offer peer support in a more private, messaging-based way.

Telegram is similar to apps like WhatsApp, but it offers additional privacy.
You can hide your phone number, which helps prevent unwanted contact from people outside the group.
The app is available on iOS, Android and via a web browser, and is easy to set up.

Our Telegram groups are used for:

• General questions and peer support
• Sharing helpful information and updates

If you have a clinical question relating directly to care provided by NAC,
please use official channels such as email or telephone rather than Telegram.

More information about Telegram and how to download it can be found here:
https://telegram.org/

How to join: install the Telegram app and send a message to @Graham_NAC.
We will then add you to the most appropriate group.

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