Overview

This is a community web site with some content that can be viewed by anyone, and other content that can only be viewed by people who register at the site and log in using their unique username and password. Registered members can discuss topics of mutual interest and so engage in mutual support.

Some of these discussions can be viewed by anyone visiting the site, but others can only be seen by registered members, and then only where the member has opted to read such information.

Registered members can, if they wish, create a "profile" page with information about themselves. This may appeal to those running support groups or indeed anyone wanting to be "found" by other members. It is up to each member whether they publish any such information.

One aim of the site is to accumulate articles from member's input, whether direct or through the forums. These articles will serve to help future readers going through similar experiences, by giving them answers without them having to ask all the questions first. Members are encouraged to submit their own articles on relevant topics.

Discussions

The Forum is the heart of the community and has public and "private" areas. If you are not logged in you can see the forum by clicking the "My Forums" link in the main menu. You'll then see a list of forum categories below that. The forum categories you can see when you are not logged in, and the discussions under those categories, are visible to anyone visting the site. To post a message however, you must be registered and logged in.

The private area of the forum is accessible to members. To read postings on a members only forum you must be (a) registered on the web site and (b) logged in.

The whole forum and each category, and the group page, has an RSS link that looks like this: Clicking the RSS link on any category or forum will let you have copies of the latest messages delivered to your desktop as they arrive at the site. If you only want to be fed messages from one forum, discussion make sure you click the RSS link of THAT discussion and not the whole forum! RSS alerts you to new messages in your web browser.

Alternatively, you can receive messages by good old e-mail, by clicking the "subscribe" option under each thread. Please note that you cannot post messages to the forum by e-mail.

Articles

Beyond the forums there are articles on topics relevant to members and visitors. At the time of writing there are just two :-( but in time these will build, inspired and driven by the input of members through discussions. While discussions will likely focus on specific experiences, articles will be of a more general nature, reflecting recurring experiences of many.  

Members can directly contribute articles too. If you have a particular interest that you think others would benefit from reading about, you can use this site to communicate it. Articles submitted by members will be subject to the web site terms and conditions and will be reviewed before being published.

News

Everyone comes across, and sometimes are a part of a news item. Registered members can post news items to the news section.

Advertising

This web site is provided free of charge. I hope to recover some of the cost by selling advertising space to offer relevant services to members. Therefore, please don't advertise commercial services without permission. You CAN advertise non-commercial activities free of charge. To make the most effective use of this offer, contact me.

Finally... 

If you have seen enough and would like to sign up, there's just one more thing - the terms and conditions. Yes it's a long and boring article that no-one ever really looks at, but if you read it at least you'll know where you stand before you commit yourself. And it took ages to write. Go on, read the terms and conditions

Thanks 

Adrian