Penpals
Having a veggie penpal, either online or through the post, can be a fun way to make new friends and learn more about vegetarianism.
If you've just become a vegetarian and are feeling a bit isolated, a penpal can give you a confidence boost! Or, you may be an experienced vegetarian who just likes to chat with like-minded people and learn about different cultures and countries.
It is possible to make lots of really nice new friends on the internet, but you must be very careful never to give out any of your personal information. Follow all of the safety advice, and never meet up with your friends without an adult being present. If you become suspicious of your internet penpal show your letters to your parents.
How to get on one of our penpal lists
- You must be a vegetarian or vegan (or in the process of becoming a vegetarian)
- You must be 17 years or under
Dating: It may be nice, but it's not what this list is for! We reserve the right to turn down inappropriate entries.
WARNING!
We do try to be careful about putting people on the penpals lists - but there is no way of knowing for sure that anyone is who they say they are. (eg it is very easy for a man to pretend to be a teenage girl on the internet!). Please consider the following safety measures:
- Do consider signing up to a web-based email service (eg yahoo or hotmail) rather than using your home email address as an additional safeguard.
- If you are very young, it is also a good idea to use the email address belonging to one of your parents and to mention that you are doing this.
- NEVER arrange to meet anyone unless it is in a public place and you have an adult relative present.
- NEVER meet anyone from a penpal list without informing your parents.
- If you are using email NEVER give out your home address, phone number or personal details (such as which school you attend and what you look like). We won't publish this sort of information on the list and you are strongly advised not to include it in your messages.
- NEVER pass on addresses to a third party.
Read this guide on the safe use of the internet.
Here is an example (not real) of how your email entry might appear:
Jacky, female, age 14, veggie 2 years, lives in Cheshire, England, writes in English, looking for male and female penpals. Interests: reading, skateboarding, listening to rap and hip hop, her pet guinea pig, shopping, hanging out with friends, hates school apart from art class and drama. Contact: - anyone@anymail.com
Sign up
Email: This list is for people who like to exchange letters by email. It's not a chat room or e-group.
Snail Mail: This list is for people who like to write and receive letters the old-fashioned way - on paper!
We do not make anyone's details available on the website.
You are allowed to be on both the snail mail and email lists.
Please note:
The pen pal lists are administered by our Local Networks co-ordinator, Bronwen Humphreys.
Students: if you need to interview vegetarians for course work, please don't use our pen-pal forms, email our Youth Education Team instead.