Connect & Move Online Chat We are delighted to be able to welcome you to our new online group chat - Connect & Move. This friendly and welcoming chat is perfectly suited as a place for those going through recovery to come along, embrace gentle movement and connect with your body and others whose circumstances are similar. Through safe, accessible and low-intensity activity, this group is designed to improve your confidence, connection and day-to-day wellbeing rather than to achieve specific fitness goals. Together we will reducing isolation, encourage sustainable self-management and be present in the moment by really noticing our surroundings. During this session, there will be the opportunity for you to join in low to moderate intensity movement with seated options and a strong emphasis on pacing through listening and connecting with your body, comfort and accessibility. There will be time integrated for conversation and peer connection to strengthen confidence and reduce any feeling of loneliness and isolation you may be feeling. This chat is hosted by one of our wonderful community volunteers, Barbara Carveth-Johnson and Zoe Smith from the AAT Support Team. Meet Barbara Barbara has a background in developmental physiotherapy and later studied art and design. Before being diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in April 2023, she ran drawing workshops for asylum seekers, refugees and schools. After undergoing a stem cell transplant in February 2024, she stayed physically active throughout her long recovery and now hopes to connect with others to promote the benefits of movement and staying active. Barbara and Zoe have a wonderful connection and Barbara's very own perspective on her aplastic anaemia journey so far is: "What did it for me? It was Zoe at Maggie’s who inspired me. Right from the start, it was obvious that she has a special talent, the way she engages and makes you feel that anything is possible. And she has lived it.” Meet Zoe Zoe joined the AA Community when she was diagnosed in November 2020 and received HATG treatment in Leeds in April 2021. Zoe is new to the team and started as a volunteer in 2022. Zoe worked previously as a Pastoral Manger in a large primary school in Leeds delivering bespoke packages of support to children and families who had social, emotional and mental health needs. Zoe is now keen to work with the charity to support children and families who are affected by aplastic anaemia. Zoe lives in Leeds with her husband and two teenage sons Harvey and Kyle. Zoe has a passion for running and has previously run two London Marathons. She has now joined back as a beginner with her local running club to restart her running journey. Zoe enjoys raising awareness of aplastic anaemia through fundraising events and loves meeting new people. How we keep this space safe for everyone We know that sometimes it can be nerve-racking attending a new event, so here's how we manage our groups so you know what to expect when you join us. This is a confidential space, where the aim is for you to experience and share empathy and understanding with other people in a similar situation. As the space is confidential, we ask that you do not share what you hear within the group, outside of the group. Your opinions are your own and we ask that everyone respects that other people's opinions may be different from yours, and that's ok! We are an evidence-based organisation and support evidence based treatments. We know that groups are not for everyone, and sometimes you won't know that till you try them out. If you decide a group is not right for you at this time, then that's ok - you can leave with no questions asked. (Although we may check in on you later to see if you're ok). The facilitator is responsible for the wellbeing of the whole group, and if a particular subject is causing distress to others the facilitator will kindly move the discussion on. If anything you hear in the group session distresses you, we invite you to please reach out to your AAT facilitator. Register for free below to receive the Zoom joining link via email. Manage Cookie Preferences