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How to join an online event on Zoom

Many of our Lymphoma Action online events are run through the online platform Zoom. Below, we outline how to use Zoom to participate in our online meetings, workshops and webinars.

Zoom and how we use it

Zoom is an online communication platform that enables people to join online meetings through video and audio conferencing. Zoom can be accessed through a web browser, as computer desktop application or as a smart phone/tablet application. 

We use Zoom for online support meetings, workshops and some webinars. For some of these you'll need a microphone and camera to take part (for example, if you are joining a support meeting or Live Your Life workshop) but not for others (for example, webinars, where attendees cannot be seen or heard).

What you’ll need to take part in an online event
  • Access to an internet-enabled device (a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone).
  • A good Wi-Fi or internet connection
  • If you are attending an event where participants are in discussion with each other, you'll need a microphone to be able to join in the conversation – see Testing audio and video, below.
  • If you will be connecting visually with others, you will need to have a web camera on your computer/laptop or a separate webcam, connected to your computer. Smartphones and tablets will need to have a video option. 
  • For online meetings where you and other participants will be sharing personal information, you will need a quiet, private space, away from others in your household, to preserve the confidentiality of other participants. If you can’t separate physically from other members of your household, use headphones/earphones, so other participants can’t be overheard.

However, you don’t need a Zoom account to join one of our events.

Joining an event

If it’s your first time joining a Zoom event, we encourage you join a couple of minutes before the scheduled start, to check everything is set up and working for you. 

There will be a facilitator at each event who will begin by talking you through how the event will work. They will check that your microphone and video are working and explain any of Zoom’s functions that you will need to use during the event, such as how to mute your microphone or use the Chat function.

On a desktop computer or laptop

You’ll receive an invitation email with joining instructions and a web link to click, plus a passcode to enter when prompted.  You'll enter the Zoom waiting room, until the event facilitator is ready to admit you into the meeting or webinar.  You will always be sent a new link and passcode for each event.

Alternatively, you can copy and paste the link into your browser, then enter the passcode.

On a smartphone or tablet

You’ll need to download the Zoom application, which is free. To do this, go to your App store, search ‘Zoom’ and download the app ‘ZOOM Cloud Meetings’.

You’ll receive an invitation email from Lymphoma Action for the event, which includes a meeting ID and passcode to enter when prompted. In your Zoom app, click on the ‘Join a meeting’ option and enter the meeting ID and passcode.  You'll enter the Zoom waiting room, until the event facilitator is ready to admit you into the meeting or webinar.  You will always be sent a new meeting ID and passcode for each event.

Testing audio and video

If you need to use your microphone and camera during the event, we recommend testing these in advance. You can visit the testing your video web page to test your video, and the testing your audio page to test your audio.

Problems during the event

If you find that the audio or video doesn’t work when you join the event, try troubleshooting your audio, or troubleshooting your video as needed. You can also try leaving the event and re-joining it. 

To do this, click on the red ‘Leave Meeting’ button in the bottom right corner of the screen, for a desktop or laptop (the location might be different for tablets and smartphones).  Once you have left, re-join using the same link or meeting ID and entering the passcode, as above, and the facilitator will let you back in. 

Please be aware that for confidential meetings, the facilitator will lock the meeting a few minutes after the scheduled start, so alert the facilitator that you are going to leave and re-join before leaving.

Need more help?

The digital charity AbilityNet can be contacted via their website or helpline on 0800 048 7642, to book a digital support session.