Pen and Chat

INTERNET DISCUSSION GROUP - D-UK CHAT

Members may request to join D-UK CHAT by emailing the Membership Secretary at info@depressionuk.org.

Users need to be aware of the dangers that lurk on the Internet and, for that reason, the charity strongly advises anyone taking part in this discussion group not to divulge their full name, address, phone number or e-mail address when communicating with others.

THE PEN-FRIEND SCHEME

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

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.

(Page updated: 5 February 2012)