Please help us build Dome 2
For four years, The Dome has been run on a voluntary basis by myself and an increasing band of Deputy Mangers; We now have 1235 members from every conceivable background and location.
Many of our members are parents, carers or single parents, people with physical disabilities, seniors, people with learning disabilites, dyslexia, those who suffer from agoraphobia, paranoia, self harm, schitzophrenia and depression, one terminally ill member and some who choose to tell us nothing about themselves.
Although most members are British, we also have active members and Managers in Eire, The USA, Canada, Argentina, France, Spain, India, China and other countries.
At least 100 of the people who have joined since we began have published articles, stories, poems and novels, online and in paper. Many have found companionship and met new friends on the Dome, others have become so involved that they make daily visits and have done so since we opened.
An average of 400 message per week are posted, which means approximately 5000 site visits per week; we currently use a free MSN site but this has many drawbacks, one being that we must suffer advertising chosen by MSN who receives all the revenue.
Because of this, because MSN could close us down without even giving a reason, because we have no control over the design of the site and for many other reasons, we want to raise £75,000.00 to build a dedicated, purpose designed website for our community and run it ourselves; we expect to generate revenue as soon as the site is active and to be fully self supporting by our third year
With the backing of the Coventry and Warwickshire Co-op, we're being incorporated as a non profit member's Co-op. A full proposal and budget has been written, funded by The Arts Council in collaboration with Kevin Fennel of the CDA and Bil Luther, a member who is a retired entrepreneur turned multi media poet with special expertise in educational software and technology.
The goals of this new site will be: to create and provide the best possible learning environment for reading, writing and developing the literary and other associated arts for anyone who chooses to take part.
The Dome2 will also:
- provide training for professional writers and artists of all types to teach online
- provide paid online teaching/support work to be done from a locale of their choosing, at a convienent time for professional writers/artists.
- provide career and educational opportunities for writers and artists at all stages of their development
- partner with various organizations to create, develop and maximise innovative arts projects online
- provide low cost, easily managed websites/weblogs with a central directory for all members
- Offer writing /art as therapy or for personal development and growth online with qualified facilitators
- Open a door on the world for housebound or disabled individuals
- Break down barriers of ignorance, nationality, creed, religion, creating a harmonious global community.
- Provide welfare support for writers/artists in times of sickness and trouble.
To contribute; you can mail a check to
or send by bank transfer to the charity account set up at:
The Co-operative Bank
sort code: 08-92-99
account number: 65117420
account name:The Pleasure Dome ahome for writers
or Click here to donate via PayPal.
You can read most of the business plan and budget online here, in Acrobat format:
Dome Business Plan
Dome Budget
