What is Mind Blogging?
How does Mind Bloggin use ICT?
What difference has ICT made?
What was learnt?
How to find out more

What is Mind Blogging? 

Mind bloggling is an innovative web based project, designed to give people experiencing the effects of mental ill health, a voice.
It will provide a 'safe space' for people to express positively their first hand experiences and in doing so, provide support and encouragement to others.

The main aims of the Mind Bloggling Project are to:

• Provide a 'safe space' for people to write their online journal
• Encourage collaboration and mutual support
• Improve awareness of mental health issues
• Develop skill levels and improve opportunities for future training

How Does Mind Blogging use ICT? 

The idea to start a blogging site was first discussed about two years ago as a way of building an online community of support for people experiencing the effects of ill-health. It was also seen as a vehicle to reduce the stigma and misconceptions regarding mental ill-health by giving those affected a voice.

We attended a new Media Trust seminar "Managing Web 2.0" at the beginning of October which was a huge resource for information. We learned a lot from reading blogs, talking to 'expert' bloggers who were kind and generous with their time and information and reading books. Neither of us had any significant training in web site design or graphic design, we developed the website through trial and error.

What difference has ICT made? 

In terms of volunteers we've increased by just 1 person so far, who comes in twice a week, but we've also increased the involvement of the public as part of the advisory group by 13 members of whom 6 I would say are actively involved, i.e. blogging. We haven't started the training programme as yet, it's likely to commence in the next week or so and hope to secure more volunteers that way.

The number of page loads since November when the site was first uploaded is 1078 as of today. Most pleasing though are the hits so far in January, which are heading towards 75 page downloads per day. All very encouraging considering we've only been going for a couple of months.

What was learnt? 

I am delighted to say that it's made an enormous difference. The bloggers have found the site a huge source of support. It has enabled us to seek out volunteers which I know has made a great difference to their lives. The sense of community has really begun to develop; it was particularly noticeable over Christmas. It has been very rewarding for all those involved.

How to find out more 

Contact name: Emma Brown 

Mind blogging
Media Action Group for Mental Health,
First Floor, The Goodson Building, Goodson Street,
Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 2AT

Website address: www.mindbloggling.org.uk
Email: mindbloggling@mindbloggling.org.uk

To find out more about using new media technologies, visit the new media section of the website.

The Knowledgebase also has all you need to know to start writing a blog.