A NEW PROJECT THAT LETS YOU WRITE TO PEOPLE ALL OVER THE UK, SHARE YOUR STORIES, ADVICE AND MAKE FRIENDS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOU’RE HOME.
TVN WILL PAIR YOU UP WITH PEOPLE OF THE SAME AGE RANGE (OVER OR UNDER 18 FOR SAFETY REASONS), YOU’LL BE GIVEN THEIR PEN NAME AND THE SUBJECT OF THE MONTH I.E "ADVICE YOU’D GIVE YOURSELF AT 10 NOW YOU’RE OLDER", YOU WILL THEN WRITE YOUR LETTER AND SEND IT TO TVN’S OFFICE IN GLASTONBURY, WE THEN CHECK THE LETTERS ARE APPROPRIATE AND SEND THEM TO YOUR PEN PAL. 
IT WILL COSTS YOU A STAMP A MONTH (65P SECOND CLASS), AN ENVELOPE AND SOME TIME.
YOU WILL BOTH THEN READ EACH OTHER'S LETTERS AND IF YOU'RE HAPPY TO STAY IN TOUCH WE WILL PASS ON YOUR CONTACT INFO FOR FUTURE LETTER SENDING. IF YOU DON'T FANCY IT THEN WE WILL GIVE YOU A NEW PEN PAL THE FOLLOWING MONTH.

YOU MUST READ THE INFORMATION BELOW AND FOLLOW THE RULES.

Pen Pal Program Guidelines and Policies.
The following are general guidelines and program policies that will help ensure a positive experience for everyone .

• All participants will use ”You Have Mail” for its intended purposes. The program is intended for handwritten or typed communication via snail mail only.
• Individuals are responsible for the nature of the content in their letters. We expect that participants will converse with respect at all times, and will not submit false, misleading, or inaccurate information pertaining to their identity. 
• Letters sent through The Volunteer Network and the “You’ve got mail” project must not contain graphic content or descriptions of sexual or abusive situations. If you need someone to talk to relating to sexual or abusive situations feel free to phone The Volunteer Network for advice and help on 01458 836130 or message on the social media sites. 
• Letters will be checked by The Volunteer Network to make sure no one is in harm or danger. Before being sent on to your pen-pal. 
• The volunteer Network will not keep copies of any letter. If we feel there is a problem with something you have written we will talk to you first about it if at all possible. 
• Participants should also agree on how often they would like to exchange letters. For example, once/month is a reasonable guideline for a beginning pen pal exchange. Participants can always make the decision together to write more/less frequently.
• Participants will send a new letter once a month to a new PenPal. Both will write to each other and be given a suggested  subject or theme of the month to make it easier. If both members decide on further communication they can opt into regally penpalling outside of the project.
• There is a temporary limit of 1 penpal per month until more members join. However there is no limit of the amount of times you can participate. For example you could have written to 6 different people but only have one regular pen pal. 
• If you want to become regular pen pals with someone you have written to or received a letter from please information The Volunteer Network through [email protected]. We will then confirm with your penpal and provide you both with each others addresses. If you are under 18 you will need a parent or guardian to sign and accept responsibility from that point on.  
• If you have a concern about what your penpal has written or is saying then you must talk to The Volunteer Network as we can help them if they need it. This is meant to be fun, so if you have anything major going on or need some professional help feel free to inform any staff member at The Volunteer Network or email [email protected].
• Participants should take care to respond to their pen pal in a reasonable amount of time – no one wants to feel forgotten! They should also respond with a comparable amount of content, as it would be discouraging for an individual to receive a two-sentence response to a two-page letter they worked hard to compose.
• Participation in the program is voluntary  (either person in a match can opt-out at any time), however, we suggest that participants commit to the program for a minimum of six months to allow the pen pal relationship time to develop. If you decide to stop you must tell The Volunteer Network and (if you can) your pen pal. 
• If participants who are aged 18 or under will be asked to get Parents/guardians to accept and acknowledge these guidelines when moving from “you’ve got mail” project to direct mail and penpaling.  
• The Volunteer Network is here to provide assistance during your pen pal relationship. Please contact [email protected] or phone 01458836130 with any questions or program feedback. We want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience!
• Pen pals should begin the relationship with a letter of introduction, sharing a bit about themselves and asking a question of their pen pal. Individuals may feel excited about having a pen pal, but also nervous about what to write. Here are some ideas to help break the ice! You can tell your pen pal about:
  • Your family and what area you live in
  • Your pet/s,
  • Your school and/or favourite subjects
  • Your favourite activities, books, or movies
  • Hobbies or interests
• You can also send things like photos, favourite sweets, favourite teas, arts and crafts. Please be aware of postage weight and leakage when sending things though. ​

​AND REMEBER TO HAVE FUN!! 

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Charity Number : 1096507
Phone number : 01458 836130
Address : The Volunteer Network, 9 Silver Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8BS