Have we been forgotten about?

@Flutterbug9 @Bow @EternalFlower @DogMan79

I wanted to thank you all for holding such a raw, honest, and deeply necessary space here. I've been reading through everything you all have shared, and I just want to acknowledge how much courage and emotional energy it takes to name these truths 💚

You are all so right: the magic of this space has always been the real, human peer connections we have made with each other. If stepping back or pouring that energy into real-life support networks is what is needed to stay safe, then that is exactly what recovery looks like.

I see you all, I believe you completely, and I am so grateful to be connected to people who look out for each other like this. Please take care of yourselves first 💚

@MatchaToad @Bow @Flutterbug9 @DogMan79 has anyone else also noticed that if they email the moderator email with a query, they don't receive any response at all?

That is different, when I was here 2 years ago there was someone to answer queries.

Either the moderation level has gone down, or they're maybe doing too many jobs at once? Not sure

Yes I have noticed @EternalFlower.

@Captain24 I received an email from moderation that confused me, so I replied back asking for clarification. I don't think from past history that I will receive a response.

I'm sorry that happened to you too.

It's okay, I was just used to something different, so i wasn't sure if there'd been a change. Part of why I was banned was for not responding to emails, so I'm confused now, as this maybe has changed, because they don't respond to emails.

@EternalFlower A lot of the time now ‘moderators’ are moderating the forums and not psw and I think perhaps are not as qualified or experienced to answer queries. They are just basically lurking in the background ensuring people don’t do the wrong thing and are safe. There are a few exceptions to that though I will add.

my experience is that a lot of moderators remain nameless, they don’t name themselves when sending guidelines breaches and there is no care. Just you did the wrong thing, fix it and you’re close to a ban. And they don’t reply when questioning and asking for clarification.

on the odd occasion that psw are around they are often doing other things too. They were all trained up to do the guided program and stuff I believe. That is why there was suddenly no psw around and all these new moderators who have replaced them.

@EternalFlower I'll take a look to see if your email was missed. We do try to respond to all member enquiries but sometimes it can take a day or two.

The reason the guidelines ask that members respond to emails is largely related to risk, and ensuring that we can ensure members are getting the right support when they need it most.

@Bow are the moderators clinicians? you're right thats different than receving a check in from a particular individual. It would be good to have transparency on what changes have occured. When did this change happen, was it this year?

It sonds from this thread ppl have concern abotu a lack of peer support here, which shows how valuable peer support can be.

I have always seen ppl here getting a lot of care and personal attention from the psw.

@Jynx thanks, i received a response now

I wasn't sure if the email was asking me to moderate something i'd said, or just to check in, and was confused. I responded when I saw the email to seek clarification. I understand it takes a few days, although in the past it had usually been on the same day. As I've just returned after being banned, I'm a little shaky understanding hwo it all works, and probably jumped to the conclusion that staff have ceased responding to emails. (this is also fine, I just wasn't sure)>

Maybe I am just a bit unsure and struggling with some of the changes, and trying to find my feet.

It was also a little traumatic being banned. I think for me sometimes it's just the lack of consistency, that can feel personal when you're having a hard day (eg being banned for not replying to emails, but now not receiving replies myself) - its totally fine ass long as boundaries are clear so we can keep them. Thanks for replying. Hope u are well. How is your cat?

@EternalFlower I can understand the feelings of confusion and needing some time to adjust to changes, especially after a difficult experience with the ban. I think consistency is definitely important but can be difficult when there's been organisational changes taking place.

I'm doing well, just trying to keep warm and somehow dry my laundry in all this weather haha. Kitties are doing well, here's some piccies!

@Jynx i'm struglging so much with washing as its raining every day, then i berate myself for being lazy o the sunny days and not attacking it. Hate washing lol.

I used to have a tortoishell that looks just like yours -