[access-uk] Re: Feedback wanted: helpline for the blind?

  • From: Mobeen Iqbal <mobeeniqbal@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:23:28 +0000

Hello Steve.

I totally agree with you. In the long run, it may not be sustainable if they do not charge. as i said previously, it depends on the line helping hands take. it may be that if someone requires remote support there is a charge to cover software costs. helping hands wanted to provide support to their users initially, and i was asked if i'd like to contribute on a voluntary basis. it was my idea to throw the idea out there for the visually impaired community to see how it went down. after the pilot, there will probably be rough guidelines for the users who call in in relation to possible charges. and because its only once a fortnight or once a week, its not like you're losing out on much time or money. if people know a service is being provided and they can call in between the helplines as well for paid support, perhaps the idea has legs. we'll have to see how it goes for them. the trick is not to put people off by mentioning money all the time, but on the other hand not have people take the micky either. i'm sure we'll be able to strike some kind of balance.

all the best,

Mo.

On 14/11/2014 18:55, Steve Hyde-Dryden wrote:
Hmmmm, indeed Steve, my thoughts exactly.  Volunteers are all very well but
in the long term, it can not be sustainable.

Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Steve Nutt
Sent: 14 November 2014 17:00
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Feedback wanted: helpline for the blind?

Hi Mo,

I was also thinking along the same lines as Carol.  If a problem is
involved, who is going to fix it?  You?  Volunteers? All for free?  You may
find this gets out of hand.

All the best

Steve

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-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Mobeen Iqbal
Sent: 14 November 2014 13:38
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Feedback wanted: helpline for the blind?

Hi Carol.

A perfectly valid point. we were considering this, and plan on taking issues
that may need extensive help for example if someone needs training further
with a private phone call, so as to not take over the helpline hour. we're
also considering extending the hour. its just a pilot at this stage, but the
feedback is much apreciated. the aim is to reach out to people and to
initiate the contact to let them know there's someone out there. the problem
most people have especially those who are older is they're not on the ball.
they're not on these groups and they're not even on skype. it could be that
initially we hear from them, we'll see how it goes. sometimes its just good
to have a natter over the phone instead of impersonal via email.

all the best,

Mo.

On 14/11/2014 13:22, Carol.Pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi Mo,

Theoretically you could end up with only one or two people getting
helped each time with tech issues.  I really wonder if there's a
market for such things since those who use email etc can get lots of
help that way and more specific help with people such as yourself
and/or Steve etc, depending on the route they want to go.

I can think of some who may not have other places to go but, in such
cases, they'd probably need you to be hands on with the computer.
Again, I know this is indeed possible from your points of view but I'm
just not sure because of the time constraints.

By all means, "suck it and see", as they say!

I certainly know that your help/advice is very much on the ball!
<Smiles>

Carol P

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mobeen Iqbal"
<mobeeniqbal@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 7:05 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Feedback wanted: helpline for the blind?


Hello Everyone.

I am posting this on behalf of a charity called Helping Hands For The
Blind. For a while, they have been toying with the idea of running a
helpline for the blind on a voluntary basis, to help out with tech
issues primarily, but perhaps offering advice on every day issues as
well. I'd be on hand to answer any tech questions, and the chairman
David Chattten Smith would be on hand to answer any other questions.
would people find such a helpline useful? if so, how often do you
think it should be run? the choices are:

every monday 7 until 8.
every 2 weeks on a monday 7 until 8.
or once a month on a monday 7 until 8.

If the helpline proves popular, we would look at extending the hours
or frequency. needless to say, we will be using a 03 number so the
user does not pay anything to call in, unlike other similar services.
We look forward to any constructive feedback/comments.

Thanks for reading,

Mo.

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