Bletherbox explained!

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
I thought I should try to answer a few questions, asked and unasked!

First of all, Bletherbox is not in competition with TP. Some of you know, I’ve long wanted a forum for Scotland, and in fact Craig and I put out some feelers a few years ago. Sadly, they came to nothing, as there was no funding. I was not involved in setting up this new forum, but I’m delighted to see it, and determined to do all I can to make it work.

Because the two Alzheimer’s Societies are separate, many people in Scotland feel that TP is nothing to do with them, and so miss out on support. Some people have tried it and found it too big and scary. Bletherbox is another possibility for them.

Many of the active members of Bletherbox are also members of TP – it’s not an either/or situation. We’re all trying hard to get it going. And membership is not restricted to Scots, though inevitably legal and financial information will be Scotland-based. But dementia and caring know no boundaries, so anyone can join, the more the better.

There will be no TP- or AS-knocking, TP was a lifeline for me for many years, and it’s great that so many new members are finding support.

If you’re suspicious, give us a look. No need to join unless you want to, but if you do you’ll be welcomed. And if you’ve any questions, please ask, either here or on Bletherbox.

xxx
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
74,002
0
72
Dundee
I just want to endorse what Hazel has said. I have started to post on Bletherbox but for me TP provides something different and I intend to stay with TP. I can see me contributing to both. It's also quite exciting to be in at the very early stages of an initiative.
 

jimbo 111

Registered User
Jan 23, 2009
5,080
0
North Bucks
I welcome Skye’s comment in her post
“If you’re suspicious, give us a look. No need to join unless you want to, but if you do you’ll be welcomed. And if you’ve any questions, please ask, either here or on Bletherbox”
First point, the current message on Bletherbox if you try to register is
“Creating a new account is currently not possible.”
Do you know why ????
My second point is , I am not so much suspicious as curious
There already exists an organisation Alzheimer Scotland I believe this organisation is part of the Alzheimer’s Society and I note that they were in attendance at the inaugural meeting of Blether box
Blether box was reported to be the ‘brainchild ‘of Leigh-Ann White a clinical studies officer of the SCDRN ???
Who found in her research that there appeared to be no online support for Scottish members where legislation and policies differ from England and Wales , The following on the inauguration of Bletherbox maybe of interest
http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/news/201208/24-08-12 BletherBox dementia forum launched.pdf

Alzheimer Scotland makes the following claims
Alzheimer Scotland has an extensive range of innovative and personalised support services designed around each individual. Services include day centres, home care and support groups. A network of branches and dementia advisors also work locally to raise awareness and to improve the position of people with dementia and their carers.
The Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000 offers information and emotional support to people with dementia, their families, friends and health professionals.

Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland. We campaign for the rights of people with dementia and their families and provide an extensive range of innovative and personalised support services. Our aims:
To be the national and local voice of and for people with dementia and their carers in Scotland

To improve public policies for the benefit of people with dementia and their carers
To provide and to secure the provision of high quality services for people with dementia
To provide and to secure the provision of high quality services for carers of people with dementia

I can understand Leigh- Ann Whites statement about the different legislation and policies in Scotland ,but I fail to see how Scottish members should feel excluded from the Talking Point on matters that are universal , not just in England ‘Scotland and Wales
My experience on TP for the years I have been on it does not give any hint of exclusion , in fact the opposite , regular contributors to T P will be well aware of the contribution made by Scottish members
I can see the obvious point that due to the different legislation Scottish members may feel that an ‘English’ based organisation is not so aware of their problems
But if that is so what does Alzheimer Scotland do???????
Remember the above stated aims of that organisation
Instead of promoting a separate ‘Talking Point’ called Blether box, why not strengthen their existing organisation to cover the questions of legislation and policies and leave the rest of us Scots , Welsh ,Irish and English to continue blethering like we have always done
There are many active local and county Alzheimer’s Society organisations that do a grand job in promoting activities more local to their area All TP members will be aware of the activities of Devon , Plymouth area
My questions are not based on ‘sour grapes; I respect the views of the many members who are so active on TP
My own ancestry with a background in all the four home countries makes me very cautious in criticising any one of them but I am always very wary of any moves that separate , by accident or deliberate ,the goodwill and unity of the UK
A very long winded post ,but in summary
Why couldn’t Alzheimer Scotland do something to strengthen the needs of Scottish members dealing with Scottish legislation and policies promote more participation in local activities
jimbo111
Ps My Falkirk born mother-in -law always said I was a 'bletherer' so I feel qualified to join
 
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Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
:)Jimbo, as I invited questions, I'll attempt to answer.:)

First point, the current message on Bletherbox if you try to register is
“Creating a new account is currently not possible.”
Do you know why ????

No, I don't know why, but I'll investigate and get back to you.

My second point is , I am not so much suspicious as curious
There already exists an organisation Alzheimer Scotland I believe this organisation is part of the Alzheimer’s Society and I note that they were in attendance at the inaugural meeting of Blether box
Blether box was reported to be the ‘brainchild ‘of Leigh-Ann White a clinical studies officer of the SCDRN ???
Who found in her research that there appeared to be no online support for Scottish members where legislation and policies differ from England and Wales , The following on the inauguration of Bletherbox maybe of interest
http://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/news/201208/24-08-12 BletherBox dementia forum launched.pdf

Jimbo, as I said in my original post, Alzheimer Scotland and Alzheimer's Society are two separate organisations. They do not work together, and Alzheimer Scotland has not the funding to support a forum.

My vewpoint differs slightly from Leigh-Ann's. You're quite right, there are several members of TP who are based in Scotland, and I for one have been a member for a number of years, and have relied on the support I received here.

But not every carer in Scotland has this benefit; as I said, because it is part of the Alzheimer's Society, not Alzheimer Scotland, it has been difficult to get across to carers that they are welcome to join. This is why I think it is important that Scotland has its own forum.

Nor do I feel that it matter too much that the legal and financial rules are different. As you say, TP has catered for Scottish members, and I'm sure BB will reciprocate if required.

I can understand Leigh- Ann Whites statement about the different legislation and policies in Scotland ,but I fail to see how Scottish members should feel excluded from the Talking Point on matters that are universal , not just in England ‘Scotland and Wales
My experience on TP for the years I have been on it does not give any hint of exclusion , in fact the opposite , regular contributors to T P will be well aware of the contribution made by Scottish members
I can see the obvious point that due to the different legislation Scottish members may feel that an ‘English’ based organisation is not so aware of their problems

Yes, I agree, as I've already said.

But if that is so what does Alzheimer Scotland do???????
Remember the above stated aims of that organisation
Instead of promoting a separate ‘Talking Point’ called Blether box, why not strengthen their existing organisation to cover the questions of legislation and policies and leave the rest of us Scots , Welsh ,Irish and English to continue blethering like we have always done
There are many active local and county Alzheimer’s Society organisations that do a grand job in promoting activities more local to their area All TP members will be aware of the activities of Devon , Plymouth area

I'm not very clear what point you are making here, Jimbo. As I have said, BB is not part of Alzheimer Scotland, though they support it.

As Alzheimer Scotland is a completely separate organisation from AS, they have set up their own support groups, dementia cafes etc, just as AS have. Alzscot is not a local group, it is a national charity, and a brilliant job it does too, on very limited funding.

My questions are not based on ‘sour grapes; I respect the views of the many members who are so active on TP

Thank you Jimbo. I believe alll the Scottish members intend to remain members of TP - dual nationality, if you will.:)

My own ancestry with a background in all the four home countries makes me very cautious in criticising any one of them but I am always very wary of any moves that separate , by accident or deliberate ,the goodwill and unity of the UK

No-one is trying to do this Jimbo, certainly not me, a Scot who was brought up and educated in England. Anyone is free to join BB, whatever their nationality.

Ps My Falkirk born mother-in -law always said I was a 'bletherer' so I feel qualified to join

Please come and blether, Jimbo!:D
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
Jimbo, you're right, there was a problem earlier with registering. It's sorted now, so do try again.:)
 

jimbo 111

Registered User
Jan 23, 2009
5,080
0
North Bucks
:)Jimbo, as I invited questions, I'll attempt to answer.:)



No, I don't know why, but I'll investigate and get back to you.



Jimbo, as I said in my original post, Alzheimer Scotland and Alzheimer's Society are two separate organisations. They do not work together, and Alzheimer Scotland has not the funding to support a forum.

My vewpoint differs slightly from Leigh-Ann's. You're quite right, there are several members of TP who are based in Scotland, and I for one have been a member for a number of years, and have relied on the support I received here.

But not every carer in Scotland has this benefit; as I said, because it is part of the Alzheimer's Society, not Alzheimer Scotland, it has been difficult to get across to carers that they are welcome to join. This is why I think it is important that Scotland has its own forum.

Nor do I feel that it matter too much that the legal and financial rules are different. As you say, TP has catered for Scottish members, and I'm sure BB will reciprocate if required.



Yes, I agree, as I've already said.



I'm not very clear what point you are making here, Jimbo. As I have said, BB is not part of Alzheimer Scotland, though they support it.

As Alzheimer Scotland is a completely separate organisation from AS, they have set up their own support groups, dementia cafes etc, just as AS have. Alzscot is not a local group, it is a national charity, and a brilliant job it does too, on very limited funding.



Thank you Jimbo. I believe alll the Scottish members intend to remain members of TP - dual nationality, if you will.:)



No-one is trying to do this Jimbo, certainly not me, a Scot who was brought up and educated in England. Anyone is free to join BB, whatever their nationality.



Please come and blether, Jimbo!:D

Hello Skye
I thank you for your comprehensive reply
and for pointing out some of my misconceptions
It is a bit late now to answer but I will do so willingly
( at my age a hot mug of ovaltine at 10.pm and a good read is an essential requisite to a good nights sleep < with the inevitable 3-4 nocturnal visits to the bathroom)
I am also trying to revisit my youth when I was a red hot socialist rebel by
reading ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist’ Last read when I was in my 20’s)
Seriously though I am grateful for your reply in detail
jimbo 111
 
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Uratopper

Registered User
Sep 17, 2012
48
0
Fife, Scotland
:)Some people have tried it and found it too big and scary. Bletherbox is another possibility for them.

I am one of those people because I am new, not to dementia in particular, but to forums. I read TP for a long time before I got up the courage to register and start posting. I have joined BB, not for variation in legislation or policies, but because it is small but growing and I hope my confidence will grow with it. I dip in to TP still and will continue to post if I have anything relevant to say.

All the best to all on TP and BB:)
 

jimbo 111

Registered User
Jan 23, 2009
5,080
0
North Bucks
Hello Skye
I thank you for your comprehensive reply
and for pointing out some of my misconceptions
It is a bit late now to answer but I will do so willingly
( at my age a hot mug of ovaltine at 10.pm and a good read is an essential requisite to a good nights sleep < with the inevitable 3-4 nocturnal visits to the bathroom)
I am also trying to revisit my youth when I was a red hot socialist rebel by
reading ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist’ Last read when I was in my 20’s)
Seriously though I am grateful for your reply in detail
jimbo 111

Skye
BletherBox is now on line again for registration (Tue am)
I have registered and will follow with interest
jimbo 111
Ps Thankyou for the correction beechmount( I have now amended it to save the
fainthearted from swooning )
J
 

meme

Registered User
Aug 29, 2011
1,953
0
London
I do appreciate all the work it takes to set up new sites and to have more than one is always good...but I find the layout and negotiating around this format at Bletherbox really difficult...and tend to give up which is a shame...on here I find it perfectly easy , so it is the way it is set out that makes the difference to me
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
74,002
0
72
Dundee
I found it difficult to begin with as well but am getting used to it. I've been on TP so long and am do used to it the new format was a bit challenging to begin with. I'm sticking with both though.
 

jimbo 111

Registered User
Jan 23, 2009
5,080
0
North Bucks
I don’t wish to sound critical , but I do feel that meme has a point
(one I am sure that could be corrected when the forum becomes better
established)
She says
--------“negotiating around this format at Bletherbox really difficult...and tend to give up which is a shame...on here I find it perfectly easy , so it is the way it is set out that makes the difference to me -------- “



When I first came onto TP I was genuinely uncomfortable when I could see listed next to each other ,members desperate appeals for help and advice and for example someone blethering about the weather or their trip to town My initial thoughts were how could TP be so insensitive
I then became aware that these posts could be read separately in different forums
But I have continued always to log on to New Posts/ Today’s Posts
because I have found that because of the mixture , even though I don’t read them all , I become aware of many subjects I would otherwise have ignored if for example I only read Tea room
Todays Posts (Wednesday)are a good example of the variety of topics that TP covers
My point is that , even in the times when I was desperate for the knowledge and understanding of those on TP who had more experience than myself I would also be inclined to be inquisitive and click onto someone’s post about some mundane subject that had very little to do with my problems as a carer
I then realized the benefit of a ‘mixed bag ‘
I hope that BB will develop and in due course give some thought to
a similar set up
In the meantime I intend to continue ,in the hope that I can get to understand the psyche of my Scotch friends in wanting their own BletherBox to blether even more
jimbo 111
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
Hi Meme and jimbo.

Thank you for at least taking a look at BB. I think (hope!) you'll get used to the format, like anything new, it takes a few looks to familiarise yourself.

I'd like to point out though, that BB also has a 'new posts' button, it's top right of the forum index page.:)

xxx
 

jimbo 111

Registered User
Jan 23, 2009
5,080
0
North Bucks
Mmmmm - I prefer Scots or Scottish Jimbo!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_(adjective)

That was naughty of me
I am willing to bet that if you looked back on my posts you will not find I have committed that error before
I stand corrected
( I tried your link but it comes up blank )
By the way although I do not consider myself semi- illiterate I have always had some difficulty in the interpretation of ,adjectives , verbs , nouns and pronouns etc'
I left school when I was 14 and had more interest in following an apprenticeship at that time
Since then I have learned my mistake, I still find pleasure in reading good literature , but I still continue to be baffled by references to grammar
Best wishes
jimbo 111
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
74,002
0
72
Dundee
Hi Jimbo - I was just being cheeky. My dad used to say 'Scots' not 'Scotch' - that's the whisky'. I don't think it's grammatically wrong to use Scotch. The link didn't work for me either just now when I clicked on it just now. It's just a wikipedia link.

I'll try again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_(adjective)

Izzy x

That's odd it didn't work there either!
 

jimbo 111

Registered User
Jan 23, 2009
5,080
0
North Bucks
Hi Jimbo - I was just being cheeky. My dad used to say 'Scots' not 'Scotch' - that's the whisky'. I don't think it's grammatically wrong to use Scotch. The link didn't work for me either just now when I clicked on it just now. It's just a wikipedia link.

I'll try again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_(adjective)

Izzy x

That's odd it didn't work there either!

Izzy you do realize that this conversation is 'bumping up' the cause of BB don't you
But I cannot resist this response
Instead of typing in your link as above I tried using the name Scots and not Scotch
and bingo it worked
( just abit of tongue in cheek ref Scots/ Scotch This time I did get it right)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots (adjective )
best wishes
jimbo 111