What happens at an online meeting?

Five minutes before the meeting:

1. Click on the link provided in the email 
2. If you don't already have zoom on your device, download the zoom Desktop Client. Follow the prompts to download the correct zoom desktop client for your computer and operating system. Your zoom Desktop Client will download.
3. You will then need to install the client. Note that you may also download clients for IOS and Android devices. Once you have downloaded the desktop client, you can now join the meeting.
4. You may have to click on the link again in the email to connect to the meeting, once you have installed the client. 

Please review the following additional support documents: Zoom US and Zoom support.

Can anyone present record the meeting?

No meeting should be recorded. If a recording is taking place, a red light appears at the top of the screen. Bipolar UK does not authorise or make recordings.  

Can you access a meeting via phone if you have no computer?

Yes you can, you will be admitted to the group in the same way as people using a computer or tablet. Please check you have the correct phone number.

What about privacy and confidentiality?

Bipolar UK take privacy and confidentiality seriously and you can read our privacy notice here

We also ask that when signing into a Bipolar UK online meeting

• Use your first name only onscreen
• Do not  have visible items in your video background which can identify you or others close to you

Do you remove anyone from meetings needing more support?

Not necessarily, it depends on the person’s presenting needs.

Bipolar UK will offer support in a 1-1 using the chat function or a breakout room where a host and co-host are present. If we feel the forum is not suitable and the person would benefit from more support off-line via their mental health team, crisis team or emergency services we will recommend they seek immediate local help. A list of crisis numbers are provided with the meeting invitation email.

What if a person is abusive or looks to have “zoom bombed” a meeting?

Since the addition of waiting rooms and passwords, zoom has taken steps to reduce this option. We will only send to closed invite list and will use the remove function if we are concerned about a person(s) behaviour. We are not publicly advertising our zoom meeting details.

Bipolar UK reserve the right to refuse entry and to not work with people within our face-to-face or online groups who are abusive.

Find out more about online support groups - read this interview with one of our pioneering zoom group volunteers.