The Forum's future - your thoughts please!

[David H]

You probable need a 'Groan' smiley (icon) for some of my Jokes

I won't mention the name of the other joke poster who deffo needs it but we all know who that is 🙄

 

[sweetsatin]

I have read this thread and would like to say, a thank you button, would be better than a like button.
The splitting of types are a bad idea, they need to be together and not split.
I found this support forum very welcoming, you were here at the time i needed your advice the most, when first diagnosed in April 09.
I had to search the internet to find help, which is where i stumbled upon this forum and never looked back since🙂 thank you all.
I admit i don't post alot but will try and help someone if i can, i won't reply to a thread if i don't know the answer, i can't help out with type1 as i don't understand the insulin you take and find it confusing at times.
I did a diploma 4 in Diabetes so i could understand it better and educate myself so i could help others. I was not getting any help from my GP or DNS, before this as i relied on this forum for advice, inspiration and motivation as you all know when being 1st diagnosed it is a lot to take in and you don't want to believe you have the big bad D.
The business type cards is a very good idea to give to gp's, clinics ect, i would give a few out and promote the forum anytime.
When i first attended the monthly group meeting in my area on the Isle of Wight i did promote this forum, even the diabetes clinic never knew of the forum, "that shocked me the most"!
I personaly am not happy with DUK as i don't think anything is being done much to promote anything to do with diabetes on the Island.
Good luck Alan at DUK Hope all goes well.

 

[Northerner]

Thank you sweetsatin, I hope we can get things moving and really raise awareness everywhere (even on the Island! 😉) If you're ever in town here and fancy a coffee and a chat, just let me know 🙂

 

[Adrienne]

How about an 'unlike' button then hehehehe

I want to unlike the posts who don't like the like button. Confusing eh !

I like the like button. Why would I say thank you to a post that doesn't need a thank you but needs a 'okay I've read that and I want to acknowledge I've read it'. Personally I find that a bit odd but maybe that is just my brain (well obviously it is as lots of you have said you like a thank you button but not like a like button which is why we need an unlike button 100%) I may use unlike a lot (no not really )

😉😉

 

[Robster65]

Would it be possible Alan to make copy/pasted list of some of the comments to leave with DUK so they are aware of what grass roots diabetics feel about them and where they might improve ?

They clearly don't get out much and probably only speak to those who think they're doing a fine job, so maybe they could pass our concerns on to their PR department and actually serve their members better.🙂

Rob

 

[Newtothis]

I'm meeting Diabetes UK in a few days to discuss ways we can improve the forum and provide help and support to more people. As someone mentioned on another thread, although we are generally very busy and increasing the membership daily, we are still only scratching the surface of the huge number of people who might benefit. I have some thoughts of my own, but would like to hear what others think 🙂

How can we better promote the forum?

What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Many thanks! 🙂

My DN told me about the site and wrote down the website address on a piece of paper at my first appointment; maybe some kind of 'business card/leaflet'(pardon the pun) or even something that GP surgeries could photocopy and circulate - could be in GP/Hospital surgeries..I'd be lost with this forum..🙂

 

[Northerner]

Would it be possible Alan to make copy/pasted list of some of the comments to leave with DUK so they are aware of what grass roots diabetics feel about them and where they might improve ?

They clearly don't get out much and probably only speak to those who think they're doing a fine job, so maybe they could pass our concerns on to their PR department and actually serve their members better.🙂

Rob

Don't worry Rob, they will learn everything that is being said! 🙂 It's terrifc to hear so many views from people - good and otherwise, and it's fantastic to hear so much praise for the forum - starts a fire in my belly! 🙂

 

[mcdonagh47]

you could also ask Duk ...

1. To delegate one of their journos to spend a day on the group and write a full article in balance about a day on the forum. No need to stick at ballance with that one - involve folks such as medical correspondent of the Daily Mail to do it.

2. Ask for a page / half page Report "From the Support Group" in each Balance that sums up some of the major issues or typical threads that occur.

3. Ask Duk to investigate the Newbies thread and research and write an analysis from posts on such items as the experiences of new T2s with docs etc or the availability of test strips to new T2s.

4. Duk has local branches operating all over the country, will they do a mailshotvabout the support group to each secretary or include it in their round-robin bag if they have one.

5. Stress to them that any advert for us is an advert for them.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks mcd - some more good suggestions 🙂

 

[mcdonagh47]

forgot the most obvious one Northerner - ask them to interview YOU to make a big double page spread in Balance about the Support group.

 

[Northerner]

forgot the most obvious one Northerner - ask them to interview YOU to make a big double page spread in Balance about the Support group.

Do you know,that's supposed to have been on the cards since 2009 - perhaps now we'll finally make it happen! 🙂 I particularly liked your idea of a regular 'From the Forum' column, the interview could be a precursor! 🙂

 

[heasandford]

Late to this thread - can I wholeheartedly support the idea of a regular 'From the Forum' topic in Balance. I printed out some (after asking permission!) to pass on to potential viewers - not sure how well it worked but it would certainly have attracted me sooner if I'd known about it! Long may it survive in its current format!

 

[Multicat]

Also a bit late but against T1 1.5 2 etc as this would have put me off straight away not knowing where I belong.

 

[am64]

I particularly liked your idea of a regular 'From the Forum' column, the interview could be a precursor! 🙂

like that regular 'view from the forum' stuff ....
read up to page 91 last night ..gave up tonight ...so just some thoughts

i gave my DSN a flyer, i have a stock of them (printed by courtesy of fellow member caroline via PM 🙄) that i give out in my charity shop when i meet public who have diabetes in its many forms ...i recently past it over to a young lass working in a local shop stuggling with her T1

I personally like the big mix of folk here with all sorts of varaitions of the ole D and those connected ...i knew nothing about D when i was DX ..apart from my grandad was one so he drank pils lager as ' all the sugar has been turned to alcohol '🙄 1980's advert !

I certainly would not be happy about any 'segration'

i think the idea of more smilies is great ...i must admit to using a site recommended by a fellow member if you pm me i can give you the link ..

above all I want alan to stress to DUK that this is a SUPPORT forum ...we do not have any answers just experience


am x

 

[lucy123]

Just on a small point - I like the presentation of the forum as a whole - and especially the pink - there isn't enough pink in the world!! i like the lips too!
I wouldn't like navy blue I don't think - too formal.

I think the pink gives a very informal welcoming appearance.

Just my view though! 🙂

 

[pippaandben]

I think you really do need to get publicity into the Drs surgeries. A flyer to be given to every newly diagnosed would be the ideal. Not to be distributed by diabetes nurses cos it can be several weeks before you see one - from personal experience. Plus a notice for the waiting room noticed board. Thinking about what happened to me I was just given a diet sheet and a nurse appt - but she was on holiday!!! Did my own internet search and found you from contacting local group rep.

I'm sure local groups could help with distribution via members to save costs - how about something in with the Balance magazine for members to take to their own surgeries.

 

[imtrying]

How about an 'unlike' button then hehehehe

I want to unlike the posts who don't like the like button. Confusing eh !

I like the like button. Why would I say thank you to a post that doesn't need a thank you but needs a 'okay I've read that and I want to acknowledge I've read it'. Personally I find that a bit odd but maybe that is just my brain (well obviously it is as lots of you have said you like a thank you button but not like a like button which is why we need an unlike button 100%) I may use unlike a lot (no not really )

😉😉

I'm with you Adrienne, I would prefer a like and a thank you button - thank you isn't always an appropriate response and I wouldn't use one instead of the other.

For example, if you find someone's post funny, you'd like it, not thank it. If you just find something funny, there's not always enough to say to warrant actually replying to the post.

But hey, that's just me too!

 

[Northerner]

I think you really do need to get publicity into the Drs surgeries. A flyer to be given to every newly diagnosed would be the ideal. Not to be distributed by diabetes nurses cos it can be several weeks before you see one - from personal experience. Plus a notice for the waiting room noticed board. Thinking about what happened to me I was just given a diet sheet and a nurse appt - but she was on holiday!!! Did my own internet search and found you from contacting local group rep.

I'm sure local groups could help with distribution via members to save costs - how about something in with the Balance magazine for members to take to their own surgeries.

Yes, an 'insert' would be a good idea - just have to hope it didn't get chucked out with the walk-in bath adverts! 🙂

 

[Mark T]

Just on a small point - I like the presentation of the forum as a whole - and especially the pink - there isn't enough pink in the world!! i like the lips too!
I wouldn't like navy blue I don't think - too formal.

I think the pink gives a very informal welcoming appearance.

Just my view though! 🙂

Personally, I think purple is a much better colour. But I agree, the pink actually stands out nicely and I don't have any problems with it.

You could always have custom colour schemes - I seem to recall the vBulletin supports that.

 

[lucy123]

Personally, I think purple is a much better colour. But I agree, the pink actually stands out nicely and I don't have any problems with it.

You could always have custom colour schemes - I seem to recall the vBulletin supports that.

I could settle for that!🙂