Piggie Pen Pals?

Just wondering if anyone would be interested in doing postcards/letters etc to each other, revolving

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Kallasia

Kallasia

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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone would be interested in doing postcards/letters etc to each other, revolving around a guinea pig theme? Could be anything from daily care to what you'll be getting them for christmas etc.

Receiving post is always exciting and I thought this could be fun :)

Anyway, I shall float this idea here and see what you think :)
 
Kallasia said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone would be interested in doing postcards/letters etc to each other, revolving around a guinea pig theme? Could be anything from daily care to what you'll be getting them for christmas etc.

Receiving post is always exciting and I thought this could be fun :)

Anyway, I shall float this idea here and see what you think :)
Click to expand...

I think it sounds like a nice idea,
Some support for people who don't have a lot of friends with Guinea Pigs
And it could be nice for people who suffer from Depression like myself as something to look forward to :)
 
TheLottiediarys said:
I think it sounds like a nice idea,
Some support for people who don't have a lot of friends with Guinea Pigs
And it could be nice for people who suffer from Depression like myself as something to look forward to :)
Click to expand...

Yes, I think so :) I suffer from Depression and OCD myself, so a little something coming through the letterbox really can be a game-changer :)
 
If anyone is wondering what sort of things might be discussed, it'd probably be 50% piggie, 50% non-piggie though of course write about whatever you would be happy to recieve.
Here's some topics that I imagine could come up:
    • Piggie profiles (names, ages, quirks, breed etc)
    • People profiles! (so we can get to know each other)
    • Guinea pig tips & tricks - like how to do chin rubs!
    • Piggie care (e.g. nail clips)
    • Food! (Both pig food and people food)
    • Homelife / Worklife
    • Other pets
    • Festivities (Christmas, Eid, Hanukkah etc.)
    • Holidays (with or without piggies - and what the piggies do!)
    • Piggie's favorite toys
    • Problems (piggie and non-piggie, though non-piggie)
    • Relevant non-piggie advice, inspiration etc (e.g. did you know if you're deaf you can get a 1/3 off rail fares even on-peak)
I would suggest we stay away from politics, negative news, anything that may offend etc. - the idea is you get a little letter or postcard that makes you smile, not cry! :)
 
I used to be part of a penpal scheme and it always fizzled out really quickly.

I'd recommend keeping things simple. No long letters, just send each other really short letters or postcards. I'd be more likely to sign up to something like that, as I agree that it's wonderful to send and receive small things, but it can feel like a huge burden to write long letters for someone who suffers with anxiety.
 
I love penpalling! and I have some penpals even in UK...
But in these last two years something into my brain is changed due to certain life troubles... and writing a letter (in english) now seems to be hard.
Anyway I should win the lazyness... :nod:
 
Jaycey said:
I used to be part of a penpal scheme and it always fizzled out really quickly.

I'd recommend keeping things simple. No long letters, just send each other really short letters or postcards. I'd be more likely to sign up to something like that, as I agree that it's wonderful to send and receive small things, but it can feel like a huge burden to write long letters for someone who suffers with anxiety.
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I agree that short & sweet is better :) I think we'd be looking at post cards or A5 (half A4)
 
rome_italy said:
I love penpalling! and I have some penpals even in UK...
But in these last two years something into my brain is changed due to certain life troubles... and writing a letter (in english) now seems to be hard.
Anyway I should win the lazyness... :nod:
Click to expand...

If we get enough interest I'll organise it like secret santa so we can all send stuff to a different person each month or so - if that's how everyone wants to do it.
Since it'll be half a sheet at maximum, maybe that will help? :)
 
Sounds like fun! :D May I join in too?
 
Sounds like fun, I have depression and associated problems too and something like this would really cheer me up!
 
I would be interested as long as it was maybe monthly.
 
I also suffer from depression and anxiety. I think it’s a lovely idea, although I’m not the most productive so might find it a struggle to reply 🤦🏼‍♀️
 
i'm 50/50 but my temper is the worst, I go from happy to foul tempers, I over react. But you lot know me as sweet even tempered, lol
 
Hello

Have to put my admin hat on here...

The only issue we have with this is we have many younger members on the forum due to our niche. Some of them are going to be over the age of 13 but not 16 yet due to the former age of sign up to forum. And let's be honest there will be some members on the forum you have falsified their account information on sign up and under the age of 13 who we don't know about but it happens and we have to delete their accounts regulary when we find out about them.

There becomes a safeguarding issue with younger forum members giving out postal addresses to take part in any pen pal scheme. We have to be so hot on online safety here, we haven't had many safeguarding issues but they do happen and we as a forum look after our younger members so well and provide a safe space for them online.
If there was a foolproof way of ensuring everyone wanting to take part in this was over 18 it would be fine, but their isn't and that's where both younger and older members may find themselves at risk.

I am not sure how this could be monitored to make sure no one under the age of 18 is involved. I know you may think I am being a kill joy but as admin of the forum I have a responsibility and duty of care.

Thoughts and comments welcome
 
sport_billy said:
If there was a foolproof way of ensuring everyone wanting to take part in this was over 18 it would be fine, but their isn't and that's where both younger and older members may find themselves at risk.

I am not sure how this could be monitored to make sure no one under the age of 18 is involved. I know you may think I am being a kill joy but as admin of the forum I have a responsibility and duty of care.

Thoughts and comments welcome
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Perhaps those wanting to take part could be verified at one of the meets to prove they are who they say they are? You could then post up a list of "safe" usernames who you can confirm can be contacted for the pen pal scheme. :)
 
While I think this is a lovely idea I have to agree with @sport_billy about the safeguarding issues it raises.
The forum has a good record and a good reputation because the moderators and administrators do such a good job.
It would be a shame to risk that on something that would be outside forum control yet could impact on the forum.
There is nothing to stop personal contacts being made at meets as @HeatherW said

Safeguarding is part of my job and it is often said in training sessions that an evil minority spoil things for everything but this is what we have to live with today.
 
This is an old thread re-opened by a new member who is not known to the forum.

On a personal level I would be very wary of ever providing my contact details to any member I hadn’t met in person. Even those I have met - and you are lovely- only very few know my address and only on a need to know basis. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of members whose address I actually know.

As a staff member this raises a safeguarding issue for younger members and vulnerable members of full age. Before any member gives their name and address out to any other member they need to be absolutely sure of the identity of the recipient and put safeguards in place. How do you know that you aren’t going to get an unsolicited visit from someone? Safety first everyone. Safety first.
 
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