Forum closing: This hub isn't managed... - Pregnancy and Par...

Pregnancy and Parenting Support

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Forum closing

NCTcharity profile image
20 Replies

This hub isn't managed or moderated by NCT. It will be closing at midday on Friday 17 March.

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NCTcharity
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20 Replies
Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy

Are you offering an alternative? This forum is a lifeline for peer to peer advice and certainly more helpful than most other similar sites!

Solly-44 profile image
Solly-44 in reply to Purpledoggy

I agree. If it’s closing because it’s not moderated by NCT maybe the name could just change?

PenguinBlue profile image
PenguinBlue in reply to Purpledoggy

I also agree - it is invaluable!

Seb9 profile image
Seb9

This is a huge hub of 55k people, if members of the current community were willing to take it on to moderate it and changed the name, could we please keep it? It's been a huge resource to so many people.

Ranchu90 profile image
Ranchu90

Really?!? No 😞💔 the best ever forum I been so far ... definitely invaluable

Rainbow_1989 profile image
Rainbow_1989

As an alternative I find Baby Centre good if that helps anyone x

Solly-44 profile image
Solly-44 in reply to Rainbow_1989

Is it UK based? I’ll have to check it out. I use What to Expect and the forum can be good for generic issues but I’d say is 90% + USA based posters, so if you have a question on say midwife services or anything local it’s not much use.

Rainbow_1989 profile image
Rainbow_1989 in reply to Solly-44

Yes it’s UK 👍🏼

PenguinBlue profile image
PenguinBlue in reply to Solly-44

there’s a ‘British mummies’ group on what to expect - obv not quite so many users but I’ve seen postings on there too x

Chiefy profile image
Chiefy in reply to Rainbow_1989

I've used Baby Center since I found out I was pregnant. There are groups for your birth month so all the other mums are at the same stage as you usually going through the same things at the same time, which is handy.

Whataname profile image
Whataname

please don’t close this. Whenever I had been unsure and no where to turn , this forum and the members have been my lifeline and encouragement. Please don’t close it.

FlyerFlower777 profile image
FlyerFlower777

a cold and blunt message?? Hardly charitable… very unfortunate

Solly-44 profile image
Solly-44 in reply to FlyerFlower777

it’s a little bizarre isn’t it?!

FlyerFlower777 profile image
FlyerFlower777 in reply to Solly-44

I’d almost think their account was hacked?! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Channie1983 profile image
Channie1983

Please help us and keep it going. Like so many have expressed it really does give support. Surely there is another way

Seb9 profile image
Seb9

I've sent an email directly to NCT this morning, perhaps if a few more of us contact them too, perhaps they might reconsider?

I've put what I've sent them below

enquiries@nct.org.uk

Good morning,

I'm hoping someone from the NCT can help. Your website has a link to a forum on the health unlocked website, please see attached a screen shot. It has been a useful tool to me as a mother to young children and all throughout both of my pregnancies.

healthunlocked.com/nct

There are several posts a week and we've got a really lovely community on there who help and support each other.

Recently a message has been posted from the NCT saying this forum is going to be removed as it is not monitored. There's been no other support offered and no alternative which seems very dismissive.

There are currently 55 thousand followers on the forum and not only is it recommended on your website, it is also recommended on the NHS website as a way for parents to find support

Several any parents have already started to comment requesting that it is not removed as they have also found it a lifeline or to have an alternative provided.

I would really ask you to reconsider removing it and see if you can find a way to keep it and resource it to be monitored and moderated so it's a safe space for parents and their concerns.

Purpledoggy profile image
Purpledoggy in reply to Seb9

Good idea. I also messaged the user who posted this FWIW. It’s a very bizarre posting xx

NCTcharity profile image
NCTcharity

Thank you for your replies to the post informing you that the forum is closing. The forum isn’t moderated or managed by NCT, but we’ve asked Health Unlocked to look into a way of keeping it open for you. We really hope this will be possible under a different name. 

Other forums you could try are BabyCentre or Mumsnet.

There are other sources of support you may find useful:

Tommy’s 

tommys.org/pregnancy-inform...

(Mental health in pregnancy)

Pandas

pandasfoundation.org.uk

(Perinatal mental health support. Call 0808 1961 776)

Hub of Hope

hubofhope.co.uk

(UK’s leading mental health support database)

Sands

sands.co.uk

(Supporting bereaved families. Call 0808 164 3332)

Samaritans

samaritans.org.uk

(Confidential support 24 hours a day for people who need to talk. Call 116 123)

Mind

mind.org.uk

(Mental health support)

Seb9 profile image
Seb9

If the forum is not managed by the NCT, could you confirm why your website signposts you to this site and confirm that this is your community?

Can you also confirm how long you have not moderated the site as I think this is appalling that you're signposting vulnerable mothers to a site that you're now saying isn't being managed or moderated.

You really could have put vulnerable people at harm, I've certainly reported concerning content before, believing that there were moderators able to act on things. Which I'm now worried hasn't been addressed. You may have really put people at risk.

Colour text
BrettHU profile image
BrettHUHealthUnlocked in reply to Seb9

Hi Seb9, Thank you for your reply. I wanted to note that our team at HealthUnlocked has been receiving the reports made within this community. Please do continue to report content as you have been doing while we take over the full moderation of this community.

Many thanks,

Brett