Do You Care What Happens To The Online Forum?
Comments
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
I don't really have a good solution for this other than maybe suggesting having a FAQ thread which details most commonly asked questions on benefits to stop the need for constant new posts asking the same questions over and over. Also make it easier to search for answers on the site before having the need to start a whole new thread. Unfortunatley the way in which the site is set up, is to create a thread first before searching for a set answer. But I think most of the damage is already done with this community in terms of maybe its too late to change things at this stage.
I only use this site nowadays to reply to other topics rather than those about benefits, as I've started to use different forums about disabilities as this one has lost its way over the years, and only seems to be getting worst as time goes on.0 -
Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
Why has this thread been turned into yet another argument on benefits and what people are allowed to say? It was supposed to be a poll on what people thought.
I am very interested in politics and benefit reforms it does not mean I push my ideas down everyone throat.
I have written to my MP and I voted on the Scope Benefits to get to 100,000 to take to the Government at number 10. It does not mean I have to tell people several times a day and fall out when everyone does not agree with me. We are all concerned about what is happening.
This forum is not just about benefits it is supposed to also be about supporting members with new diagnosis, and sharing hobbies etc.
There should be a place on the forum for everyone and we should respect everyone no matter what there opinion or what they want to discuss.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
I don't see any arguments here, and all were doing is replying to your original question.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
Perhaps we are not looking at things in the same way.
As soon as any member suggests there are too much political/benefits posts the big put down starts.
Those members that are concerned but do not want the same thing repeating over and over again are put down as not caring.
I care very much about political/benefit reforms but so much of it is depressing and not what I thought the Scope Forum was about.
I have never suggested it should not be discussed just not take over the whole forum.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
I care very much for this site too, and want the exact same. I don't want a complete stop on benefit discussions but just don't want it to the only thing we see on the forum.
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I agree with you, we certainly aren’t seeing this thread in the same way. This thread didn’t become an ‘argument’, it evolved into a meaningful discussion sparked by your poll’s loaded question: ‘Do you think there’s too much political/benefit discussion?’ Naturally, that invited scrutiny, and people responded with respect and context. If this is seen as a problem, it’s worth reflecting on why that discomfort exists in the first place.
Everyone who replied did so with genuine intentions, offering their thoughts based on their own experiences. That’s the nature of open discussions, diverse perspectives are to be expected. If some responses didn’t meet your expectations, I understand how that could feel unexpected. However, it’s important to recognise that a forum’s strength lies in its variety of viewpoints, and I felt the responses in this thread were respectful of each other’s perspectives.
After all, the goal is to create a space where all voices are heard, even when opinions vary.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
I expected all the responses I received, in fact I am surprised it took so long.
I agree "the goal is to create a space where all voices are heard, even when opinions vary"
It is a pity it does not always happen.
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In what way did you expect all the responses you've received so far? Surely starting a poll/post is inviting responses, which everyone has indeed done in a respectful manner.
Differences of opinion should be considered so long as they are done in this respectful way; personally I learn from other members because of their input.
I didn't even notice your poll until recently, & read through all of the replies up until then. Ask any member of the Scope team, & I had been against political content unless the Scope team mentioned it, & then invited comment. As @rubin16 says, political content isn't allowed on many forums.
I'm much more interested in hearing about people's different conditions/disabilities as this is where I feel I can sometimes help. However, & because of this, I remember when members first started asking about SIRVA, which is Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration; this happened due to maladministration of Covid vaccines, tho I learnt it had previously happened with other vaccines. People joined Scope even from other countries, because they weren't allowed to discuss it there, or even on other forums in this country. It was relevant then, & Scope gave everyone a safe space to discuss it.
Apologies for seeming to digress, but I'd say currently Scope is also giving everyone a safe space in which to discuss political content because this is very relevant right now.
I feel the dynamics of the forum will/may change as other topics become relevant. I can't dictate only having topics that are of medical interest to me, so go with the flow of trying to help & support members whatever their issues, hence getting pulled in to political content & trying to learn more about benefits.
@rubin16 also raises a point I'd welcome - if only we had a FAQ about benefits queries. However, would new members read these anymore than they do the House rules or 'using the community?' Also everyone is different both with the benefits they claim & their individual circumstances, which may need a tailored response as @OverlyAnxious mentions. It's the same with queries about politics. We can't be everything to all people, anymore than Scope can, but we can try to the best of our individual abilities & strengths.
I've mentioned this before, but I was actually surprised when I learnt that people joined Scope primarily for support, as I'd thought it would be for benefits advice as that seemed to me what most queries were about.
Scope is still about support, whether members are feeling lonely, need benefits advice, or help understanding current welfare reforms; surely support comes in so many different ways?
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
Voted!
Thanks, Bluebell, for this thread.
I care about the forum but I'm not sure we all care about other members. Maybe that's just human nature but we are all capable of learning.
The downloads from phones are NAUSEATING. Albus suggested it's a tech issue - it's not, it's an eyesight issue. We discourage SHOUTING ON THE FORUM BUT DOWNLOADS ARE MASSIVELY INTRUSIVE, FULL OF ADVERTS AND OFTEN ALREADY POSTED.
Please, Scope. Fix this anti-social behaviour.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
The endless questions about PIP reassessments and pensioners are also nauseating. I even suspect one or two new members of joining to feed that hysteria and divert attention from UC and working-age benefits which is what we should be worrying about.
What is not acceptable on the forum is for every phone alert to be posted as though sensational news. Shocked to find that the Daily Extreme, the Torygraph and the Daily Hate Mail don't like poor people or disabled people?
I just wonder what young readers must make of these newly woke generations. I won't say what I think! 🤐
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
If I wanted to know what Froggie or Moggie had to say, I would tune in to their 'news' channels but I don't. I certainly don't expect to read their rubbish on a safe platform.
I'm an empath until it comes to immigrants is a recurring theme here so no, not everyone cares about our forum.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
I stay away from the politics/benefits posts on this forum, so about 95% of the threads.
I get that's what people want to talk about, but I also agree about the multiple new posts daily asking the same questions.
There just seems to be very limited positivity on this forum and no sense of empowerment. Everything is just doom and gloom.
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Thank you for such a measured and intelligent post. You’ve struck that rare balance between honesty and reflection, and it is genuinely refreshing. In a thread where not every comment has shown the same thoughtfulness, your reply stands out, both for its clarity and for the care it shows in engaging with others.
You reminded us that differences of opinion do not have to mean division. When responses are rooted in respect, and a desire to understand, the forum becomes what it is meant to be, a space for learning, growth and support. I really appreciate the tone and substance you brought to this conversation. You reminded us how meaningful dialogue is meant to be done.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
It's important to remember that members may choose to contact Scope directly and privately with their suggestions so as to avoid judgements and criticism when they do have their say!
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
Thank you everyone for your replies.
I think it is important not to judge other members who for one reason or another are not able to write quite as intelligently as others. They just write as they would speak. The forum is for everyone.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
"The forum is for everyone."
Including autistic people! 😅
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I have found the forum to be immensely helpful with those posts people have been able to answer. I have admittedly been asking quite nitty gritty questions about benefits (due to my having complex needs) that benefits advisors elsewhere have been largely unable to answer.
Having answers here on the forum has greatly reduced my anxiety. Whilst some people consider such topics to be negative, I as a person without a spouse or family to support me, don’t have the option to stick my head in the sand and not fight for my rights -so as to remain positive.Can I please suggest fact sheets which include answers to both frequently and not so frequently asked questions on a topic.
Perhaps there could be a pop up drop down menu when someone tries to post with a prompt to read the relevant fact sheet first before posting and possibly also a rule to keep one’s query to only one or two key questions so as not to overwhelm others.2 -
Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
You mean like me haha
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
Yeah, I apologise to anyone who may of thought I was too direct in my language or was upsetting others. I only have positive vibes but struggle with language. so if you ever see a post from me just know I don't ever mean any harm and only want to help.
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Do you think the forum has too much political/benefit discussions?
I do honestly believe though an FAQ section for this forum would atleast norrow down alot of the daily asked questions on here solving most of this discussion.
Thoughts Scope team?
@Albus_Scope @Mary_Scope @Adrian_Scope @Holly_Scope1
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