Using smartphones to reply to messages from other members

November 2011

It has come to our attention that a small number of people are using their smartphones to access MakingContact.org. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the site works fully using all options for browsers and technology, a few people have been unable to reply to messages using some smartphone devices. We apologise if this causes you any inconvenience and hope to be able to resolve this issue in the future. In the meantime, please use either a desktop computer or laptop to reply to your messages.

Take a look around and start emailing today

October 2011

Welcome to MakingContact.org, the essential website to help you discuss your concerns, raise issues and find out more about how other parents just like you are supporting their disabled children. The site has seen a few upgrades recently but the most significant piece of news is that it is now totally FREE to use.

If you are new to the site, all you need to do is create a profile and link to a condition and you are ready to email other parents - either those who have a child with the same condition or those living locally to you, regardless of their child's condition.

If you were already registered on this site, on 1st October 2011 your account has been upgraded to full access and you are now able to email other parents free of charge.

So what are you waiting for? Create yourself a profile today and start emailing.

Excellent news!

September 2011

As of 1st October 2011, there will no longer be different levels of membership for MakingContact.org. Every member will get all the benefits of the current gold membership level. New members from this date will automatically have full access to use the service and all current members will be upgraded to full access.

Wonderful news to help more and more parents to get in touch and share information and experiences about having children with the same condition.

For information, members who are currently gold will be offered the option of a refund after 1st October 2011.

It's back and better than before!

July 2011

As many of you will know MakingContact.org has been undergoing maintenance work. Testing is now complete and we are pleased to announce that the new site has been launched!

Several new features have been added. Each account now has an in-box (also known as conversation record) making it easier to see who you have written to, whose turn it is to write and view the exchange of messages. When someone emails you notification will be sent to the personal email address you registered with - you then log into your MakingContact.org profile to read the message and respond. As before, you can start 5 conversations per day and send 6 messages to each user you contact.

Please note - we strongly urge all users to ensure that you add info@makingcontact.org to the acceptable list of contacts on your personal email account. If you don't, messages from users may end up in your Junk or SPAM folder or be blocked completely. Messages that go to Junk or SPAM folders only stay there for 7 days and if you don't check them you could be missing messages from other users.

We hope the improvements to the site will help you to reach other parents and share your experiences more effectively.
Thank you for your patience whilst this work has been completed and happy messaging.

Are you missing your messages?

November 2010

If you have SPAM filters or security settings on your email account it could be blocking messages from people trying to contact you via this service. The messages come from info@makingcontact.org. Do make sure you add this email address to your list of acceptable email addresses so you don't miss anything.

When did you last update your profile?

September 2010

The date associated with a member's profile is the date they joined not the date they last visited. Some members haven't updated their profile since they registered, perhaps as long ago as 2004! People are more likely to email a profile with a current date.

Go to your profile today and give your information a refresh!

Extra, extra - read all about it!

August 2010

We are planning some media work around the launch of our new look for MakingContact.org and we are looking for people who have used this service. Would you be willing to provide some comments and tell us about your experience of contacting others via this site?

Contact Elaine Bennett, our Media Officer, today!

Location, location, location!

July 2010

MakingContact.org has had a face lift and we hope everyone enjoys the new look.

Part of this includes a complete overhaul of the locations section - go to your profile and make sure you have added your location. This will help you to find others in your area.

Help us improve your online experience with Contact a Family

Fri, 03 Feb 2012

We will be launching a new website in this summer and so need your views. Whether you are a new visitor to the site, or use it on a regular basis - we need your input to help make our website the one-stop-shop for families with disabled children. Read more ...

Could you share your story with us?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012

Contact a Family’s _Family Life_ project is here to help support families with disabled children around relationship issues. Part of the project focuses on parents helping other parents, by sharing their stories and experiences about family life and couple relationships. Read more ...

Contact a Family's Downing Street reception

Thu, 02 Feb 2012

On Tuesday 17 January, Samantha Cameron hosted a reception for Contact a Family at 10 Downing Street to raise awareness of our fundraising campaign _Stronger families. Happier lives._ ![Event photo](http://www.cafamily.org.uk/pdfs/samcamweb. Read more ...

Give us your thoughts on the future of Contact a Family

Wed, 01 Feb 2012

Times are changing and we’re changing with them. We are trying to find out views from you - the parents and families of disabled children - as to where Contact a Family should be focusing its work over the next five years. Read more ...

Contact a Family urges House of Commons to rethink welfare reform changes that will devastate ...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012

Contact a Family is urging the House of Commons to honour last night's vote by Peers to reject plans to halve disability additions under the Universal Credit for all but the most severely disabled children. Read more ...