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Our lil site is almost 2 years old....

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Posted 05-Oct-2009 at 15:37 by TallPoppy

And it all started at our kitchen table. One night, very late, me and the old man drinking tea and having a natter - me thinking about an assignment – nowhere to go and get help and support of the kind I needed. You can always have your own site, says the old man.... me? Lil old me? Dya think? O00o I could post up those educational video’s I’ve got about breastfeeding, suturing, natural birth ....o0o0o0o and that article I found.... and .. and ... and .... and so it went on. I have always been a midwifery geek and I hoard information on my laptop, so the idea of sharing it with likeminded people enthused me. Go for it, says Rob...... and here we are.

Before I knew it clever clogs had built it and I was 'in charge' of a community, people just kept coming and coming and coming and coming..... I felt a huge responsibility to these people; I wanted them to feel safe with me - in my community. I wanted them to learn, ask daft questions, ask hard questions, debate, tell me what they thought about stuff and all under the safety of my 'wing' - my umbrella - what we now call 'SMNET'. At that time it was a domain name on a site, it didn’t have a meaning - but over time SMNET has become an online me. Sounds odd but it is. If I were a website, I’d be this one. I despise bullying, discrimination and cruelty - in my lil land that’s not allowed. I like to learn, to have a natter, to laugh, to know about people and help and support people. To get projects going, to always strive to make a difference. To be kind, friendly, helpful. I have no time for meanness, I can’t see the point, it’s just negative and upsets people, why do that? When you can make them feel good, better, happy?
I see it like this. When you log on you are most likely to be in your own home, possibly sat as I am now, in a pair of fluffy Primarni socks, tracky bottoms, cosy SMNET hoodie and a big ol fluffy dressing gown, with a nice cuppa tea. I’m at home, I have a stinking cold, Im relaxed and I want to sit on my laptop and cruise about the net. I know from having the site so long that we have an SMNET & PJs social group lol and lots of references to pjs, comfies, cups of tea and SMNET. So I know I’m not alone. That’s how we roll here, comfy, cosy and safe.

So, if you are new and you are logging on for the first time, probably as a guest - just having a look about - in your pj's with your cuppa - what do you want to find? A bunch of like minded people doing the same, safe at home, cosied up having a chat, a giggle, a laugh - somewhere where you can learn, debate and be - safe? That’s what I wanted to achieve and I know I have. I can say that so boldly because, I see it every day - I see you making friends, sharing your lives, fears, hopes with one another - openly and freely. I see you welcome in the new people, I see the new people posting saying 'I’ve been lurking for a while but you all seem so nice I had to introduce myself'. It works, and boy oh boy does that make me proud.

I also wanted to put you in touch with others who were seeking places at the same Uni, with current students at those Uni's where you could have a chat via PM, msn, email and then have a cuppa, pop out for lunch - slowly grow these important and reassuring friendships. Just like Dory’s and mine did all those years ago. The Student Mentor Scheme, is officially dedicated to the kind hearted Dory who took me under her wing when I was sending off my application and hoping for a place. If it wasn’t for her 'unofficial' mentoring - the scheme wouldn’t exist. She was a year 3 student who was so kind and giving to me. Years later she's my resident RM and is quite possibly one of the most highly respected midwives in the entire world of student midwifery. She's still 'one of us' but knows her stuff. If you can’t tell, I absolutely adore her and am so grateful she has stuck with me all these years - she went from student mentor to friend and that’s where she stayed for years now.

So when you go out and meet your student mentor/fellow member of SMNET for the first time .... You could be meeting a lifelong friend and that again makes me so proud. I get so many PM's from members telling me how much they love the site, how they have made so many friends and how that first day at Uni wasn’t as scary as they went with their SMNET friends. That is exactly what I wanted for you all, to take away the fear, loneliness and apprehension that first days and weeks can bring and to instead replace it with warmth, friendship and lasting good memories.

There are so many other amazing things that we have achieved as a community - too many to name. But our ethos of upholding the reputation of the profession whilst being approachable and nurturing seems to be something that you like, along with the Uni’s, our governing body the NMC and other organisations that approach us to work with them. Look at what’s happened with Elsevier? A huge multinational academic medical publishers – they love us like we now love them – they give us free books to give to you to encourage you to learn. They don’t need to win your business as let’s be honest they publish all the best books you need to buy anyway ..... But they see the importance of a community like ours. Lil us and big them, and it works.

As our 2nd birthday approaches, I want to say thank you. So many people thank me, but this place would be an empty desolate cob webby place without you all instead it’s full of nurturing, caring, warm people who are kind to one another - who actually care about one another and again that makes me so proud.

I’m not the type of person to sit back and think this is my empire, I did this, and whoa I’m so great. But sometimes, I'll be in the bath, reflecting on things (as you do) and I will be thinking 'Blimey, how cool is that'. It’s humbling and joyful all at the same time.

I have given you two years of my life, of late nights, all nighters, early morning and squeezing SMNET in wherever I can. I’m as addicted as our hundreds of regulars, and as keen as our thousands of members. And I will continue to give to you through the projects I think up, the initiatives I think are a good idea, pointing you in various directions of things I think are important and that you need to know about. As we have grown I have had less time to hang out on the forum and have a natter but I make sure I take time to do that – so if I missed congratulating you on your place, or you new baby or your engagement please know that I am sorry, but I struggle to be all things to everyone. Being the SMNET Director is looking like it will become a full time job for me – and I can’t be happier about that. My friend recently said to me that I was like an internet Anita Roddick, who founded the Body Shop by selling her homemade lotions and potions from her kitchen table in Brighton. Her hobby became her job and she changed the world of body care products in many ways with her ethos and just by being her. I like that analogy, and felt flattered. It made me think that there must be something special about kitchen tables, cos some of the best ideas come from sitting round them, cosy at home where it’s safe to grow your thoughts, ideas and self. That’s why I am so honoured that you welcome me and my community into your home. So thanks for letting us in every day for the past two years!

I will leave you with some mind bending statistics ..... Over the past 3 months we have consistently averaged 2100 visitors a DAY viewing between you all .....25 THOUSAND pages a DAY.

Last month was a record for us... we served up three quarters of a million pages.

Thank you x

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$tcalamity\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

It's the best

I have only been a member a short while, but It's the best!!!!!

I have to get my daily fix....

Best for information, laughs and friends. I love being part of smnet and its community and without it I would not be following my dream of becoming a midwife.
So thankyou for being a great community and here's to 2 years and well done on all your hard work xxxxxx

xxxxxx tcalamity

Posted 05-Oct-2009 at 15:57 by tcalamity tcalamity is offline

$Noomi\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

Aww that was a lovely read

Thanks so much for SMNET TP, this place has become an important part of so many lives!! I know ive already said it but starting uni this year has been made so much better through relationships we have all built up here, going through the whole application interview process together, been having a giggle trying not to call each other our screen names!! First 2 years of many I hope xxx

Posted 05-Oct-2009 at 18:34 by Noomi Noomi is offline

$TallPoppy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

Thanks for the kind words gals xx

Posted 05-Oct-2009 at 18:45 by TallPoppy

I also want to thank Tallpoppy and co. Without this FAB site and it's wonderful members I wouldn't of just started access and be applying to uni. I've no doubt midwifery would still be that niggling idea that kept rearing it's head but always seemed a million miles out of my reach. Thank you soooooo much for your advice and support....I know what ever question I have , I will always have, honest supportive advice from members. I'm 100% positive that sm.net will be going from strength to strength over the coming years and I look forward to watching it's growth. And yes, while writing this, I too am sat in primani PJ's and fluffy socks ha ha ha x x

Posted 05-Oct-2009 at 20:27 by Cerri Cerri is offline

$upsy daisy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

Fabulous blog TP and I have to say you and Rob are absolute LEGENDS and I can't wait to meet you at the SMnet Xmas do! I've been a member on this site for over 18 months now, right from the "just dipping my toes in the midwifery Waters" through to applying to college to start my access course and through the stresses of writing my PS and sending off my UNI application. I truly believe that I have achieved far more with you guys of SMnet behind me than I would've on my own. Posting on this site also gave me the courage to speak to student mw's at my trust and in particular getting to know the wonderful Butterfly and Mkunga who I am so lucky to have rooting for me as they have (even if they don't realise it) given me so much confidence to apply to uni. Everyone on this site is so friendly and helpful and to be able to talk to like minded people about something I am so passionate about is like coming home.
Thank you all xxxx

Posted 06-Oct-2009 at 09:28 by upsy daisy upsy daisy is offline

$TallPoppy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

When I read posts like these I feel really moved (soppy ¤¤¤ arent i?! lol)

Thanks for the kind words my darlings

I agree re our members being lovely and about BF & MK those gals totally rock. Watch that space with them, I can see them hitting the midwifery big time in time

they are excellent with people and down to earth - perfect midwife traits! (and they are fab to have on staff - they are like shining stars).

I bet loads of us have primarni socks and pjs lol the fluffier the socks the better. We should get some SMNET ones hahahah

Posted 07-Oct-2009 at 11:29 by TallPoppy TallPoppy is offline

	$upsy daisy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$ Oooo what an idea, you could market a whole range of Smnet "off duty" clothes - PJ's, fluffy dressing gowns and super fluffy socks LOL!!! xx
	Posted 08-Oct-2009 at 09:42 by upsy daisy

$Mkunga\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

Awwwww, UD and TP! You've just made me well up a little bit! Big loves to you all! Hahaha, BF and I are a bit like tweedledum and tweedledee or the chuckle brothers. Lol!
Can't wait for the crimbo do!

(And I'd LOVE a pair of SMnet fluffy socks!)

Posted 08-Oct-2009 at 15:08 by Mkunga Mkunga is offline

	$Mietziecats\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$ I lurve Smnet, thank you for being here, putting my mind at ease, showing me I'm not alone, not nuts and giving me information and inspiration! x
	Posted 12-Oct-2009 at 19:45 by Mietziecats

$Dory\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

tp you just made me cry

Posted 28-Oct-2009 at 22:10 by Dory

	$filobabe\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$ Love this site has become my new favourite. The most helpful and caring people i have met on the net. You should be very proud TP. Filo x
	Posted 29-Oct-2009 at 21:58 by filobabe

Thanks for the kind words

Ive just read it again afetr a few months and things move so fast here, time for another blog methinks

x

p.s. Sorry for making you cry D but its true!! xx

Posted 27-Jan-2010 at 12:35 by TallPoppy TallPoppy is offline

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