Lovely mumsnet SN mums - I need your help!

[heartinthecountry]

I have just set up a charity called podnet to help support families of children with disabilities and special needs. Our main aim initially is to create a website that will become a kind of 'one-stop shop' where families can find anything they need to know in order to help their child and their family. So there will be a massively comprehensive listings directory of services and resources giving lots of detail about what they do and who to contact etc, loads of background info explaining, for example, what SALT is, how to go about getting it, things you can do at home etc etc. Basically just all the info that you should be told but no-one ever does.

The idea is for it to be a real community of parents helping each other (rather like mumsnet!) so not only will there be the core information but parents will be able to add their own bits of advice etc. So say someone looks up 'fish oils' they won't just get the basic info they will also be able to see other people's experiences and advice. The same with DLA, statementing, all the stuff we talk about on here.

There will also be a talk forum, and I am infact hoping that I can work with mumsnet so that podnet links here to the SN board as i think it is such a fantastic support forum and it would be silly to start another one unnecessarily.

So, why do I need your help? Well I am trying to get funding for the site at the moment and as part of that I wanted to do a survey to show that there really is a need for this kind of service.

It would be fantastic if any of you could spare 10 minutes and go to podnet where you can click through to a questionnaire.

Also please please pass this link on to anyone you know who has a child with SN. I reckon I need to get at least 100 responses. There is also a printable version of the questionnaire for anyone who doesn't have internet access.

I know you ladies are busy. But I really really would appreciate your help with this. The questionniare should not only help make the website a reality but it will give me really good feedback on what it is that would help you all most.

[RTKangaMummy]

brill idea

if it can work with mumsnet can help everyone and members can be swapped between them

[coppertop]

Fantastic idea, HITC. I've just filled the questionnaire in online.

[MrsFROSTgetful]

OOOOOH! You are great to have done this! I will do the questionaire....soon!!!

[JakB]

HITC, this sounds FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! . What a star you are. I will deffo do the questionnaire

[Dingle]

Just completed the questionnaire.

Will try to pass info on in my little SN circle down here!

[heartinthecountry]

Thank you, thank you, everyone! Just a thought - if anyone has any comments about the questionnaire that would be helpful too. i.e Is it too long? would it be better all multiple choice etc.

Really really appreciate your help .

[JakB]

HITC, just filled the questionnaire in! Think it's great

[mfh]

I've filled in the questionnaire. I hope this idea can be developed. Please include sick children - not quite the same problems as disabled or special needs, but many, many issues in common.

[KarenThirl]

Just done mine too. A great idea, saves all the trawling around in separate places. Well done.

[heartinthecountry]

PLEASE NO-ONE ELSE FILL IN QUESTIONNAIRES AT THE MOMENT!!! for some reason I am not getting all your responses... annoying as I tested it and it was fine. arrgghh! that bodes well for an internet site doesn't it??!!!

I'll let you know when it is working again. Apologies to those who have already done them - I've got some of your answers but not all of them .

[bambi06]

wow .its amazing in that ive just been talking to my childs psychologist about trying to set up this massive database, support group for exactly the same reasons as its such a drag having to find out(all on your own) about anything thats out there so if you want any help or support let me know as i d wanted to start over this way .. but its great that you`ve actually got off your backside and started it so good on you!!!!

[coppertop]

Let us know if you need us to fill it in again, HITC. I've just e-mailed the person who runs another ASD site I'm on to ask if it would be okay to post a link on there. They have 700+ members so you might get a few more responses.

[heartinthecountry]

That's brilliant - thanks CT. If they say okay, can you just ask them to hold off posting it until I've got the questionnaire sorted?!!

bambi06 - I am going to need lots of help along the way as it is still really early stages. I may CAT you if that is okay.

[coppertop]

Okay. Just let us know when it's up again. (fnarr!)

[dizzyone]

A great idea, will complete questionaire when you're ready

[JaysMum]

Just let us know when the questionnaire is able to be completed.
Fantastic idea by the way.
JM.

[heartinthecountry]

Hiya - okay, QUESTIONNAIRE IS NOW WORKING!

If anyone who filled it in before can bare to go in again the questions I missed your responses to are 4,7,8,14 and 15. So you could just fill in those, ignore the rest and I'll match up your email address. Sorry, they are all free text answers not multi-choice so the ones that take more time. But really don't feel you have to. The answers I have got already will be so helpful.

Thanks again everyone .

[Keane]

hello

I will do it me dear

but I have a book here that lists everything in 'our' area which is charity based aswell. Was thinking I could get you a copy of it? Was going to ask if you wanted me to pop up on the train during easter hols? to victoria that is.....

[Merlot]

Not supposed to be on here but just had to say GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!!!! [GRIN]

[coppertop]

Aha! Caught you, Merlot!

I've answered the missing questions again. No news from the other site yet but the administrator is at work during the day.

[Dingle]

Just completed the missing questions. Sorry, I felt as if I really waffled!!

[bambi06]

have filled in qustionnaire and yes you can CAT me anytime..anything you need..give me a shout..by the way where are you based?

[eidsvold]

done

[bambi06]

forgot to add this site..SNAAP.ORG.UK