In response to the internet’s popularity as a source of information and as an escape from real life worries a UK charity has broadened its online presence.
As well as creating pages on social networking sites Bebo, Facebook and MySpace, Contact a Family – a charity that offers support and advice to parents of disabled children – have set up a virtual office on Second Life. Second Life is an online, 3-D world that allows users from across the globe to meet, trade property and have children together.
Funded by the government, Contact a Family is moving online to reach a wider audience. Every Wednesday their virtual office is manned allowing parents to pop in for a chat and at other times Second Lifers can use the location as a library.
Mark Robertson, the charity’s head of information, said: “The first place anybody goes for information these days is the internet. There are issues with accessing support in real life, even popping out to a local advice centre. Online and telephone support is and has been for some time important to parents of disabled children.”
This is not the first time a charity has entered a virtual world in an attempt to reach out. Last year, Childline booked a room in Habbo Hotel and, in 2006, World Vision opened a store on Second Life.
Picture from The Guardian
June 10, 2008
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