Young People's Support Group

The Aplastic Anaemia Trust will be running an online 6-week young people's support group beginning on 25th June. 

We understand that being diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure condition can be an extremely challenging and isolating time. We want to bring you together, alongside a Clinical Psychologist, Catarina to provide a small, welcoming, youth-friendly space where you will be connected to peers in a similar situation. You will be able to talk openly about stress, identity and uncertainty with no feelings of judgement or pressure.

This exciting series of group sessions will help to support your emotional wellbeing whilst living your life to the fullest with a rare bone marrow failure condition. 

Please join this online support group if you:

• are aged between 16 and 25 and
• have been diagnosed with one of these conditions:
  • Aplastic Anaemia or PNH
  • Dyskeratosis Congenita or a telomere biology disorder
  • Fanconi Anaemia or
  • Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome,

During this support group you will:

• meet with other young people living with a rare bone marrow failure condition to feel less alone,
• be part of a small group that makes it easier to connect and have your voice heard,
• have the chance to speak openly and honestly in a safe, non-judgmental space,
• gain practical coping strategies for life's difficult moments,
• gain a clearer sense of your identity and values beyond your illness to leave with a personal plan for difficult days. 

We would love to welcome you on Thursday 25th June at 6pm, please register below to receive the Zoom link by email.

The dates for this 6-week support group will be:

Thursday 25th June, 6-7pm

Thursday 2nd July, 6-7pm

Thursday 9th July, 6-7pm

Thursday 16th July, 6-7pm

Thursday 23rd July, 6-7pm

Thursday 30th July, 6-7pm

If you are unsure if this support group is for you, please join us at our taster session on Tuesday 16th June at 6pm by registering here: Young People's Support Group Taster Session | The Aplastic Anaemia Trust 

Meet Catarina, your group leader

Catarina is a Clinical Psychologist who has vast experience helping those with illness to navigate stressful and uncertain times, anxiety, and adapting to body and emotional changes.

Catarina told us why she thinks young people's support groups are important: “Support groups like this are designed in a way to be a safe, practical, and youth-centered space to understand stress, build coping skills, strengthen communication, and reconnect with values and identity. It is designed to be accessible, flexible, and directly relevant to the realities of chronic illness."