Please can we have a Scottish MN section - Mawsnet, mebbe?

[StayingSamVimesGirl]

Following on from discussion on another thread - could we have a Scottish section, please?

The local information is good, but it is too local to apply to the whole of Scotland, if you see what I mean.

I think it's s great idea. It's absolutely not in a "keep out the rest of the UK" way but simply that so many things are better different here that having the correct audience would be so helpful.
I can imagine Irish and Welsh MNETTERS may feel the same.

Momagain1 - for lots of stuff mumsnet is still great, I find it matters less when it's about getting a diagnosis as different areas have different processes everywhere anyway, so people are aware it may not work quite how it does for them.

Then of course actually parenting or just general school type things are the same for everyone.

But when it comes to where there's a question about the ASN system - people are really clued up on the SEN process and are aware that certain things don't happen in Scotland...but aren't aware of how it works instead, which is pretty useless when people are at the very beginning and also don't know how it works.

You also get Scottish posters who aren't aware that the Scottish system is so different and start to get really disheartened with schools because they don't have certain things in place, when actually it's because they have other things instead.

I mean it shouldn't be a stupid secret society where you need to know who to ask and what to ask for to get anything, but sadly it often is.

Yes ive always though an NI section would be quite a useful thing for the same reasons.

A scottish thread would be very helpful, especially as my DS is starting school and I haven't got a scooby about the education system here. I'm originally from Canada.

Not sure we need a whole Scottish section but I would love to see, within Education, a separate section for Scottish Ed. I've been looking through the Secondary education threads and pretty nothing applies to me as every thread is about English schools/exams.

I'd use this if it was set up.

At first it could be one board- if it was well used it could expand into education, politics etc- just like fwr did.

Yes please.

There are a few of us in my local area, but not enough to make the local page work as no one wants to out themselves/talk about the same things etc, but there are plenty of others in neighbouring areas who want to talk, meet up... An all encompassing Scotland board would allow us to make contact and not get lost in fast moving topics like Chat.

Yes please from me too.
Ta muchly.

Yes please xx

I am really really trying hard not to make a comment about the Local sections, which the Local Editors tried bloody hard to make a success of, but weren't used by most MNetters.

I don't think we need a Mawsnet. A separate bit for Education or Law might be handy, I suppose.

How many 'local' sections are there for Scotland? Maybe there were too many?

Good lord, it's the referendum all over again!

MmeLindor I think the issue that Scotland has some specific topics education, law, politics etc which don't fit into a Local section, as they aren't just applicable to Glasgow, Aberdeen or wherever but across the whole of the country.

Some one techy could always set up a new website called Mawsnet.

Are there not any Scottish parenting sites?

I think one of the problems with Local that it was just rolled out as a one size fits all type idea. I know there were suggestions in the Belfast Local board (I'm in NI) that this was a reason it wasn't used.

Definitely specific scottish boards for things like education and law

I'm in favour. As others say, education system, laws, property buying, nhs are all completely different in Scotland. Even the pet section always mentions rspca for example, doesn't apply in Scotland.
Go awn HQ.

I am really really trying hard not to make a comment about the Local sections, which the Local Editors tried bloody hard to make a success of, but weren't used by most MNetters.

I really feel for the Local editors, and know they have put loads of work in. I would hazard a guess that the more successful local sites have a greater total number of MNers from in that area plus of course NetMums has that aspect pretty well covered

I have posted in Glasgow Local very occasionally, but it is much more questions about specific schools etc, than general CHat.

When MN creates the Scottish topic/area, perhaps they should put a thing at the top of the page signposting the Scottish Local sites, kind of like the disclaimer at the top of the health threads.

The Local threads definitely have their place, but a broader area topic for less local issues would also be great.

Pacific

You found it!

Yes please from me too xx

Yes please from me as well!

Yes, I'd use it for sure.

this would be great, I spent many hours trying to work out the ages of the children in Y5 or Y9, what the bloody hells that all about?

also all the threads that start when the English school holidays start..."Kids have been off 3 days and I'm going mad!!" and I want to scream "kids have been off here for 3 WEEKS!!"

So yes, I'd like a Scottish section too