These guidelines are adapted from the National Family Support Network (NFSN).
What is ZOOM?
• You can use Zoom to participate in or host video meetings on your computer or mobile device.
• Zoom is a group video call used by companies and universities for remote communication.
• Its basic functions include the ability to chat and call individual contacts, as well as schedule meetings for future events.
Guide to setting up ZOOM
Click the following link for a very simple guide on how to set up and use a ZOOM account
https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2017/07/27/3-simple-steps-getting-started-zoom/ Ways to use ZOOM
You can use ZOOM in 2 ways;
1. Download the ZOOM App onto your smart phone or tablet – available through your app store for both Iphone and Android
OR 2. Use it through your browser on your laptop or PC
Scheduling, hosting and inviting people to a ZOOM meeting: The easiest way to explain this is to show you and we have found 2 simple and quick youtube videos to do this:-
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362413-Scheduling-meetings
OR
https://www.google.com/search?q=scheduling+a+zoom+meeting&rlz=1C1CHBD_enIE85 8IE858&oq=scheduling+a+zoom+meeting&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l7.7977j0j4&sourceid=chro me&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_RUiDXo-ROtOn1fAP_6eEmAc48
Pro’s to using ZOOM
1. Very easy to set up
2. It is FREE
3. Very easy to schedule, host and invite people to meetings
4. You can set a password for people to access the meetings
5. You can have up to 100 people at each meeting on the free account
Con’s to using ZOOM
1. Not all people will have access to a smart phone, tablet or computer
2. The meetings on the free accounts are limited to 40 minutes
3. Meetings end abruptly after 40 minutes with no warning so facilitator needs to monitor the time really closely to ensure closure of meeting.
We have trialled using ZOOM and it worked really well, the set up and organising of the meeting was very easy and without issues. We have set up a host account and can host group meetings with up to 20 or 30 people and can arrange meetings for groups if you wish.
We recommend using ZOOM to facilitate group meetings due to the current COVID 19 crisis as;
• it will be hugely beneficial to group members just to hear a friendly voice
• it will be even more beneficial to group member to to see a friendly face We encourage group facilitators to give it go.
We have draw up a confidentiality agreement for the group to ensure the same confidentiality as in normal meetings and that they will not share the invite with anybody. It is up to the group host to send out the invites.
Please check in with group members to see if they are comfortable with it and circulate this information to group members so they know how to set up their ZOOM account
How we can support you in setting up your ZOOM account?
We are in no way experts in ZOOM and l we are all learning. It is an excellent tool when you are unable to meet for whatever reason but it no substitute for the human interaction our service users need at times. For now and until this crisis is over we encourage you and your group to give it a go, that weekly or monthly check in with your pals could make somebody’s bad day a little bit better.
To help you out, we can offer phone or email guidance and support in setting up and getting to know ZOOM. Please log your request for assistance by emailing info@serfsn.org and we will call you back as soon as possible. Please note we CANNOT set up your account for you as it has to be linked to your own email and verified through this email address.
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE ZOOM APP AND SEND US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN SET UP MEETINGS WITH TOU.