Online community: 2024

Adrian_Scope

As we look ahead to the New Year, we're keen to hear your thoughts on how we can continue to improve the online community.

What topics, discussions, or features would you like to see more of on the forum? 

What do you enjoy most about the community that you would like to see more of?

Is there anything you'd like to see less of?

durhamjaide2001

I love the games and I love the new games room

chiarieds

I have really enjoyed features where people have talked about their health condition/disability, as I think it helps gives a greater understanding of what others go through.

I'm not a fan of political discussions, unless they definitely relate to disability, as I feel they can cause tension/discord. For that reason they're topics I prefer not to engage with. Also sometimes so much misinformation creeps in, even when they do relate to disability, which then unecessarily worries some members.

66Mustang

@chiarieds @Biblioklept

I had typed my answer to this a week ago and was going to say the same thing as Chiarieds r.e. political topics. I thought they should be not allowed.

However - I think - I don't mind the actual subject, what I dislike about those topics is the nastiness that often comes with them.

I think it would be nice to be able to talk about sensitive things, like politics, if people were capable of acting like grown ups and directing arguments at the points of view they disagree with and not the member holding that point of view.

I was thinking perhaps if the admins could bring in some sort of system whereby any comment that directs an attack against a person, rather than their point of view, is immediately removed?

I often bring up controversial or sensitive topics, sometimes without really giving my own view, because I like to get a discussion going and find I learn a lot. I'd say I get about an 80% failure rate whereby members start attacking each other but I won't give up and will keep trying as it's worth it for the 20% of positive, constructive discussion.

Of course if my idea is not viable I am happy to stop bringing up sensitive topics. I do however think it is worth broadening the forum away from just smalltalk and "how are you?" etc.

Albus_Scope

I've been enjoying learning about everyone and the various conditions.  I'm a sucker for learning new things. I think it's great that we can all share and grow together.  

chiarieds

66Mustang has hit the nail on the head about disagreeing with someone's point of view rather than directing comments against the actual person. Such personal attacks or personal abuse can be reported, & I agree that these comments should be quickly removed/edited.

Albus_Scope

Good question about the blogs @Biblioklept I'll ask the social media team when next we speak.  

noman

A chat room ?

Albus_Scope

Could you bunch of scamps be trusted with a chat room though?   

noman

We would have fun trying but I couldn’t guarantee it:D

Sandy_123

Yes @Albus_Scope

MW123

Albus_Scope said:

Could you bunch of scamps be trusted with a chat room though?   

Creating a time-restricted online chat room could benefit members, especially those facing disabilities or health issues impacting their sleep. This virtual setting has the potential to provide companionship during lonely or sleepless times. To ensure a secure and positive chat environment Scope could clearly convey that the platform is meant for positive interactions and understanding, discouraging contentious discussions or disruptive behaviour.

By limiting access to specific hours, effective control and monitoring of the chat room can be maintained. Consider experimenting with this idea during a trial period to evaluate its effectiveness before deciding on a permanent implementation; it might pleasantly surprise you and prove to be successful.

Hilbil

As many have said, I feel it is going to be super difficult to avoid political chat this year. Sadly!!  A chat room could be a good idea but surely that would involve  strict administrative protocols?
I love ready people stories and journeys,  but feel a little like a fraud as although I have many issues I think mine are nothing to what people are going through within this group. Happy and healthy 2024 to all. X

MW123

@Hilbil

Welcome to the community. Don't feel like a fraud – your presence and perspective are valuable, and sharing your own journey can be both cathartic for you and supportive for others. We're all here to learn from one another and provide mutual understanding and encouragement. A happy and healthy 2024 to you also.

Hilbil

Thank you for your kind words.  I feel I have just got to come to terms and acknowledge I am unable to do things like gardening  which I absolutely loved  anymore. Its hard isn't it?! And as each few months pass mundane jobs around the house are beyond me!

WhatThe

Happy New Year Adrian!

How about in Recent discussions - entertainment/everything else? 
That caters for everyone and would be easier to find and keep up with 
 

WhatThe

Also things I don't yet understand.. It was ages before I saw the cross on the screen and tried it. I don't know how to change the avatar or delete comments or what tagging is about. All sorts of things aren't obvious to me and I find instructions difficult to follow. 

I'm not asking for answers here, just suggesting a Q's and A's guide to using the website 

Thank you for asking 

MW123

WhatThe, I find myself in a similar situation, utterly clueless about how to navigate the website. The concept of an avatar has me puzzled, so you're ahead of me there. Not a clue what it is. Tagging is another mystery, and I might have been doing it unintentionally. 

Deciphering the abbreviations used for certain benefits in other members posts is also a challenge for me. I often have to turn to Google to understand the benefits they are referring to. It would be beneficial to have a "Dummies Guide to the Benefit System" written and produced by someone like Poppy who seems to masterfully navigate this complex system.

Adrian_Scope

WhatThe said:

Happy New Year Adrian!

How about in Recent discussions - entertainment/everything else? 
That caters for everyone and would be easier to find and keep up with 
 

Good afternoon @WhatThe and Happy New Year to you too!

We've today separated the entertainment and games so they're not in recent discussions but can all be found together in one place in the new games room. Hopefully as you say, it'll be easier for members to find and keep up with the content that interests them. 

WhatThe

Another thing that would be really helpful is a spellchecker on this website..

The questionnaires are lengthy and hard to fill in - it is not always possible or practical to access help with this. Returning them in legible form would make them far easier for DWP to process and increase the likelihood of an award being made.  

Spelling and learning are not things we leave behind at school. It's in everyone's interests for guidance and information to be presented in the most accurate way. 

  

WhatThe

Yes, much easier than having to scroll through the first page every time, brilliant thank you!