Hi all
I am going to put the cat among the pigons now with this post
if it was not for us all NRAS would not exist
so why cant we have an answer?
Mary L

the strapline is patient led charity, isn't it?

having community moderators won't solve the PM issue though. i would not suggest that moderators had access to these, if reinstated.
but having moderators in itself should open up a channel for us to discuss other management issues. i feel we're quite way off this though, when i look at our inability to even post contributions to the forum help & guidelines section, it signals to me we're a long way off power sharing yet.

there's raft of related issues to work through.

Hi, Has anybody contacted administration and asked for pms to be reinstated ? If so what if any have been the replies ?

John

I've not been on the forum much over the past few days due to being ill. What can I say, I feel very saddened by NRAS's actions and feel a bit like a naughty child. I agree with the comments made and think that NRAS has taken a heavy top-down approach without any consultation with it's members, and needless to say without our membership would not exist. Whilst I very much appreciate all the good work NRAS do in supporting us and raising awareness about RA, treating it's members like this is not the way forward.

Franky, the point you raised about the need for trained moderators is a must in order to avoid any further misunderstandings and problems that may arise. I am annoyed that my stored PM's have now gone and would have appreciated the opportunity to have replied to a number of outstanding PMS. Franky, I also think it is very generous of you to offer your services as a moderator and think NRAS should take up your offer. Just because we have RA doesn't mean that we have forgotten or can't use the wealth of expertise, knowledge and experience that we collectively have on this forum. Despite RA, we can be and are very resourceful. Furthermore, I don't understand the double standards here, if a member finds the content of a post racist (not seen it) and reports it, why is it being left on the forum? Surely NRAS should know that racist language, even when said in the guise of a joke, is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

My RA and related complications to my health has resulted in me becoming depressed and housebound, and much of my "socialising" over the past year has taken place on this forum. I can't seem to understand what the problem is with having a joke and a laugh as long as it is not at another persons expense or offends. If for example the "girls night out" thread caused offense then NRAS should have informed us accordingly. Similarly, I also believe that NRAS should have spoken to the person/s who allegedly abused the PM service before pulling the plug and thereby disadvantaging the majority who do not and use the service properly.


I'm afraid NRAS actions are beginning to feel a bit too Orwellian for my liking.......


Love,


Barbara
XXXXXX

Bit disappointing that, nearly 24 hours on, still no response

Sorry Helly I don't agree.
The case of someone abusing the PM facility should have been dealt with by removing the culprit from the forum. Why should we all lose the privelege because of one person?

As to having a discussion group, we are all equal partners on here and should all have had the chance to discuss this with NRAS before they removed the PM facility.

Crikey, even Nanny Jo Frost gives warnings before the naughty step is used!!!

I e-mailed NRAS yesterday afternoon but have had no reply.

We are well aware that the forum is a nuisance to NRAS and distracts them from their "real work" but the forum is their biggest support group and if it folds the helpline will be inundated with calls from those who normally get support on here.

Doreen xx

Well what a strange kettle of fish I've come on to find?
I have NEVER known of the PM facillity being removed on a forum before.
NRAS-where are your explanations please?

My opinion on this is is that its unfair to withdraw the PM facility from everyone when its only a few members who have apparently abused the system. I hope NRAS will reconsider and reinstate PM's for the majority of us well-behaved users.

I also hope my PM's have not been read by anyone other than the intended recipients, as they contained personal information and, if reinstated, I would not want any Forum Members, as moderators, to read these either. If anyone moderates, it ought to be NRAS staff only.

Maybe that person has been removed and I do agree that NRAS need to respond to this, if anything to give answers..... But in their defence, I'm not sure if the person went directly to NRAS... As far as I know, they just posted it on the forum and so NRAS may not have even been aware until this week...



The thought behind the discussion group was so that key members could discuss matters with NRAS rather than NRAS having to go through endless responses, some of which 'may' not stick to the original subject...

I just hate all this upset on the forum, especially for new members who are coming here for the first time.... I'd hate for them to come for support and be met with animosity...

NRAS moderate the forum Helly so if they were moderating they would have been aware straight away of the fact that someone had received a suspect e-mail, and it was said to be an e-mail not a PM.
I thought the person who received it dealt with it adequately, by bringing it into the open and she did receive, and accepted ,an apology.

The animosity is confined to this thread only and I am sure anyone reading it will see the reason for it.
If not, I will spell it out.
NRAS have removed our PM facility and have not given a proper explanation as to why they did this. They have also removed the PMs that we had archived.

Doreen xx