Welcome to the first issue of the Leicestershire CareOnLine Chatroom Newsletter.

Since we launched the Chatroom at the end September 2007, we thought it would be a good idea to put together this Newsletter to keep you up to date with the new chatroom and the people using it. We hope you will find it useful and interesting! If you would like to contact us about the chatroom or this Newsletter, our details are given at the end.
  

If you would like to get this Newsletter via email, please contact CareOnLine and we will add you to the mailing list. The newsletter email can be provided in plain text and without pictures.
  

   - New Chatroom users!
We now have 57 registered Chatroom users. We hope that the Chatroom will become more and more popular and we will continue to get more new users.Invite your family, friends or carer, the more the merrier!

   - Added new conversations!
We have added four new conversations;
“Welcome to the Chatroom”, “General Chat”, “Bookclub” and “Outings, Events and Celebrations”

   - Fixed a few teething problems!
We noticed a few small problems early after the launch of the Chatroom, like problems with entering email addresses and website addresses. These problems have now been fixed!
  

 1.  Talk to other people
One of the great things about a Chatroom is that you can talk to anyone and ask any question (as long as it’s not rude or offensive!). Being shy is no problem,spelling and grammar does not matter, chatting is the most important thing in a chatroom! Having a laugh together, making new friends, having a debate or getting advice and support are what the CareOnLine Chatroom is all about!

 2.  Getting responses from others
Have you ever left a message but nobody responded? Chatrooms can seem intimidating when you first use them, sometimes people just don't know what to say. When you write a message, invite others to reply to you by asking open questions e.g. "has anyone else experienced this?" or simply "what do you think?". Also, try to respond to other people's messages, after all, everybody has different experiences, opinions and likes and dislikes and would be really interesting to get the conversations going and share them!

 3.  Don’t give away sensitive information about yourself or others
Only registered users can submit or reply to a message, but anyone can read the messages that are already there. You should never reveal sensitive information in the chatroom, like your home address, home telephone number or personal email address. If you don’t want the world to know it, then don’t write it. 
  

1. Suggestions (Ideas for Leisure Outings)
2. Looking After Someone You Care About (Visible Or Invisible?)
3. Direct Payments (Information on Direct Payments)
4. Creative Writing (Poetry)
5. Living With a Disability (Mobility Equipment)
6. Outings, Events and Celebrations (Celebrations and Festivals)
7. Finding Help As You Get Older (Retirement Age)
8. Book Club (Large Print Books)
9. Health (Flu Vaccinations)
10. Learning Disability (Locality Groups)
      

Phone: 0116 305 7538 Fax: 0116 305 8179
Email: grapevine@leics.gov.uk
Website: www.leicscareonline.org.uk/grapevine
Address: CareOnLine, Room 317, County Hall, Leicester, LE3 8RL.

The aims of CareOnLine are to reduce isolation and improve the quality of life among Older People, Disabled People and their Carers. The service provides help with access to computers and the Internet, training, technical support and a purpose-built website.