Website 'going to waste' when it could be a crucial lifeline
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A DISABLED man is appealing for people to use his website which he created for others who feel isolated and spend a lot of time at home homes due to poor mobility or health conditions.
David Jardine spent months painstakingly adding a long list of links to the portal – but only a few people have popped in and none have contributed their own information, leaving the site lying empty since it was founded in 2015.
The 52-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, said it was disappointing but he was determined to continue promoting his venture because he had believed it was a much-needed resource that could take off.
Unlike social networking sites like Facebook, Highland Newsroom Portal has a simple left hand menu with links which can be filled in by visitors who are keen to share news and information about a huge range of issues, including local events and gigs, best gyms, Christmas carols, supermarkets, holiday, travel and health and disability benefits.
Mr Jardine, of Diriebught Road, Millburn, who is diversity co-ordinator for Scottish Labour’s Inverness and Nairn constituency, registered the site as an online business through Companies House in 2016.
He is sure that with the right publicity his site can become a success and stand out.
He said: "I meet people all the time and they tell me there’s not enough details about events going in the papers anymore. So I thought could I create a website so people in Kinmylies will know what’s happening in their local areas.
"I thought that would be great for people like myself. I can’t get out and mix with people much because of general safety issues so the idea is that people can use the site for everything and can talk to others using webcam. But nobody has actually started using it yet, according to the stats only 42 people have come on and looked at it so I’m just trying to let people know that it is there."
The website is available at www.highlandnewsroomforum.com
