Support groups

Support groups are places where people who understand what you’re going through can meet. You can help each other and learn how to live your best life. These groups can make a big difference and help you feel more connected.

Why join a support group?

Joining a support group can help you: 

• Feel like you belong and not so alone
• Meet people who understand what you’re going through
• Increase your confidence in managing lung disease or lung cancer
• Learn tips for living with a lung disease or lung cancer
• Learn tips to help you manage daily life in a better way
• Find out about new information and access other support services.

Types of support groups

In-person support groups

We’re proud to support a strong network of in-person support groups for people with lung disease or lung cancer and their carers. These groups are safe places to talk and feel understood.

Everyone is different, so the groups are too! Whether you prefer structured discussions or casual social gatherings, you can find a group that fits you. 

You don’t have to join in with every activity, just do what feels right. The groups often have meetings where you can talk about interesting topics, listen to health professionals, ask questions, share tips or just chat. Sometimes, groups may arrange to share a meal or participate in a shared interest together.

Online support groups

Each of our online groups are focused around people living with a specific lung disease or lung cancer and are run by people with similar experiences. Carers have separate groups to help them also connect with support. If you can’t join in person, or you would like additional support, you can join a group online from home. Our online groups are run by volunteers who have been through similar experiences. Each group is private and by invitation only to help keep things friendly and supportive for members. 

All online groups use video calls and messaging, and everyone creates a profile. The group format can include video meetings, sharing sessions, a featured health professional guest, question and answer sessions or an opportunity to share resources.

Peer Connect phone support

Our Peer Connect one-on-one phone service matches you with someone who has the same or similar experiences and understands what you’re going through. We also connect carers together to share their experiences too. Talking to someone who “gets it” can really help. You can chat from the comfort of your home and know you’re not alone.

Our Peer Connect service connects people living with the same lung disease together, including: 

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
• Bronchiectasis
• Lung cancer
• Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF)
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

We would like to gratefully acknowledge Chiesi Australia, Boehringer Ingelheim and the Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis for their ongoing support of our Peer Connect phone support service.

Get involved

Would you like to help others by sharing your story and creating connections? You can share your experiences and support others through our Peer Connect phone service or becoming a peer support leader. You don’t need special training, just your own story and be willing to help.

• Talk to someone one-on-one over the phone
• Lead or co-lead a group where people share tips and support each other
• Make a real difference and help people feel less alone.

We welcome people from all backgrounds to join us. If you want to get involved or learn more, please fill out the form below.