Join Depression UK logo

Depression UK

[HOME]   [CONTACT US]   [JOIN US]
Change Website Text Size

[MISSION]

[DEPRESSION]

[NEWSLETTER]

[PEN and CHAT]

[GROUPS]

[INFORMATION]

[SUPPORT US]

[USEFUL LINKS]

Pen and Chat

This section covers our Pen-Friend Scheme, Phone-Friend Scheme and Internet Discussion Group, D-UK Chat.

THE PEN-FRIEND SCHEME

We operate a Pen-Friend Scheme, open to any member, so that they may write to fellow ‘Helper-Sufferers’ in order to share their problems etc. If you are interested in joining this Scheme, then please write to the ‘Pen-Friend Secretary’ at our Central Address, remembering to include your ‘Membership Number’.

Obviously, you will then be asked to tell us a little about yourself and your interests, and your requirements in a potential pen-friend such as their age, gender, interests, locality etc., so that you can then be best matched-up with other writers. You don’t need to pass on your surname and address, as letters between pen-friends can be exchanged through our Central Address.

We must stress that this scheme should not be looked on as a potential dating agency! We must also stress that members take part in this scheme AT THEIR OWN RISK, as we cannot guarantee to ‘police it’ adequately.

Below is an extract from a member’s letter that was published in Newsletter 150:
“One of the most important things - if not the most important thing - which keeps me going, as it were, is the writing and receiving of letters. I have several pen-pals, all of whom have become very good friends, and without them my life would be empty indeed.

It is with this in mind that I ask you through the newsletter, to thank ‘Angela’ - for all the hard work she does in running ‘our’ pen-friend scheme. It is an excellent service and I thoroughly recommend letter writing as good ‘therapy’. It has certainly enabled me to carry on, when all else seems hopeless. Please, if you can, do encourage others to take up letter writing, it may prove to be enjoyable and a way of building up a friendship and, at the same time this can bring a sense of belonging and well-being.

And how pleasant to have the postman bring some welcome mail for a change. But, of course this wouldn’t be possible without D-UK, and ‘Angela’ --- so a BIG THANK YOU once again.”

 

THE PHONE-FRIEND SCHEME

The Phone-Friend Scheme operates in a similar manner to the Pen-Friend Scheme, so giving our members the opportunity to talk to others on the telephone. Everyone who takes part should be able to get non-professional type support, and feel less isolated, by being able to chat with fellow sufferers.

If you are an existing member of this Scheme and require assistance, then please contact us.

If you are interested in joining this Scheme, then please write to the ‘Phone-Friend Secretary’ at our Central Address, remembering to include your ‘Membership Number’. Obviously, you will then be asked to tell us a little about yourself and your interests, and your requirements in a potential phone-friend such as age, gender, interests, locality etc., so that you can be suitably matched-up.

We must stress again that members take part in this scheme AT THEIR OWN RISK, as we cannot guarantee to “police it” adequately.

 

D-UK CHAT

A private and anonymous internet discussion group for D-UK members is currently being trialled.

Members who join D-UK CHAT need to be aware of the dangers that lurk on the Internet and, for that reason, we must stress to them that they take part in this discussion group AT THEIR OWN RISK, as we cannot guarantee to “police it” adequately.

Furthermore, we strongly advise anyone taking part in D-UK CHAT not to divulge their full name, address, phone number or e-mail address when communicating with others.

(Page updated: 18 October 2009)

Back to the top of this page

copyright © 2008 Depression UK
Registered Charity No. 294482