Question 1

Who can become a member?

Accepted Answer

Membership is free to anyone living or working in the Greater Norwich area. Anyone can use LUMi without having to become a member. You will need to become a member if you wish to share info / contact a sharer / borrow stuff or do a post code search.

Question 2

What memberships are available?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 membership options: individual, organisation. You can hold multiple membership if you volunteer for different organisations. Simply switch within your account area.

The person who registers an organisation becomes the organisation administrator. They have access to your organisations details, and members. You can have several administrators, just upgrade them in your account area.

We’ve listed the different access rights members have below:

Action	Public	Individual member	Organisation member	Organisation administrator
View share listings	✓	✓	✓	✓
Personalise searches		✓	✓	✓
Contact sharer		✓	✓	✓
Upload SPACE			✓	✓
Upload STUFF			✓	✓
Upload SKILLS		✓	✓	✓
Upload ACTIVITIES		✓	✓	✓
E-digest sign up				✓
Accept requests to join your organisation				✓
Upload / amend Organisation details				✓

Question 3

How do I register as an Individual Member?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can become a member. Click on register at the top the page, complete the form and press submit.

Once you have verified your email, you are off. If you are planning on using LUMi as an organisation / group, upgrade your membership for greater access to the site and to maximise your publicity opportunities.

Question 4

How do I register as an ‘New’ Organisation Member?

Accepted Answer

Organisation Members need to first register as an individual member. You can have multiple members.

Step 1: So, if you haven't already click on register to become an individual member

Step 2: Once registered, return to your Account area, click 'Upgrade to a Group / Organisation, and choose 'Add a new organisation.' Your request will be sent to LUMi's administrators for approval.

Note: Key contact details, e.g., your social media sites and company logo, are automatically pulled through when completing any online form to save you time.

Step 3: When your request is approved. Upload shares, via to your account area. At the bottom of the page. Click on the appropriate icon under 'My Assets' to access our online forms. Note - To help showcase your organisation, don't forget to complete a listing for your organisation.

Question 5

How do I join an existing Organisation?

Accepted Answer

To join an existing organisation, first register as an individual member.

Step 1: Register/sign in as an individual member

Step 2: In your Account area and click on 'Upgrade to a Group / Organisation’. Click on ‘join an existing organisation’ and choose your organisation from the drop-down list.'

This request goes through to the organisation’s administrator for approval

Step 3: Once approved, upload shares, via to your account area. At the bottom of the page. Click on the appropriate icon under 'My Assets' to access our online forms.

If you are still stuck, email us at: LUMi@norwich.gov.uk for further help.

Question 6

Can I add social media links and videos?

Accepted Answer

Yes, add links via the online forms. Organisations posting their listing can add links to their social media so people can follow them.

Question 7

Can we add leaflets and posters?

Accepted Answer

Yes, upload posters & leaflets via the online forms. These need to be a pdf. There’s free software available online, if you need help converting documents.

Question 8

What activities and events can be shared on the site?

Accepted Answer

LUMi’s aim is to make it easier to get involved in and with community life and its activities. There are some restrictions, such as no purely commercial activities, such as a pub gig, unless there was an element of fundraising for local good causes.

Individual members can only upload activities that benefit the community, such as a litter pick or street party. We reserve the right to remove or reject any listings that we feel, are inconsistent with LUMi’s values.

Shares must:

Activities must be community focused and open to all,
Adhere to the Council’s Equality and Diversity policy and not infringe anti-discrimination legislation,
Not constitute political advertising,
Be a non-commercial activity,
Not be business-related, nor seek to increase business profits nor for recruit employees,
Not directly promote a faith or religion; however, community focused activities open to all are very welcome,
Take place at a public venue not in a person’s home,
Not cause offence to public taste and decency,

All listings are moderated by LUMi’s site administrators, before going live. You will be contacted should your activity be rejected with an explanation.

Question 9

Can we edit information once it is live?

Accepted Answer

All shares / listings are added via online forms found in your account. These can be edited at any time.

Question 10

How do I remove a listing?

Accepted Answer

All your listings are shown within your account area under My Assets. Click on each icon to see your listings. You have the option to edit or hide any entry. The status is shown on the right. You can quickly remove from the live site but easily reinstate an entry if needed.

Question 11

How do I republish a listing?

Accepted Answer

All your listings are shown within your account area under My Assets. Click on each icon to see your listings. Options are on the right, simply click on ‘Edit’ to open the form, amend the expiry date and click ‘Publish’ at the bottom.

Question 12

When sharing venues, can it include some costs?

Accepted Answer

Some organisations may offer a space for free. We also don't expect organisations to be out of pocket offering space. But we do ask where possible these remain reasonably low and affordable for small resident /community groups.

Question 13

What happens when an activity is out of date?

Accepted Answer

LUMi only displays current information. When upload a share, you add start and finish dates. For one-off events, the system automatically removes the listing from the live site once the end date is past. Your listing is hidden not deleted.

For ongoing shares, you will receive an email advising it is about to expire. If you do nothing, it will be removed from the live site. If it is still relevant, amend the expiry date within the online form.

Question 14

How is insurance managed?

Accepted Answer

Sharers are responsible to ensure they hold appropriate insurance. You may need to contact your existing insurance company to ensure you’re covered.

Based on what you choose to share and the level of risk you are comfortable with, you may choose not to take out additional insurance. If you choose not to, you run the risk of having to replace damaged or lost items at your own expense and / or find yourself liable for any damage or injury caused by your item.

However, you can mitigate your risk by introducing some simple actions:

Use a hire form
Photograph the item at the time of sharing and ask your borrower do the same
Ask Borrower to sign the hire form as confirmation of the items condition
For any electrical item, ensure it is PAT tested and is listed on your certificate
Ensure you provide the Borrower with any safety procedures.
For higher risk items such as a gazebo provide clear guidance on its safe use.

Alternatively for high value goods, Sharers may deem it appropriate to request a deposit or a small hire fee.

Question 15

How is broken equipment dealt with?

Accepted Answer

The agreement is between the Sharer and the Borrower. Our User Agreement outlines the responsibilities of both the Sharer and the Borrower. It remains the Borrowers responsibility to replace any broken or damaged item. LUMi is not responsible for any damaged or broken items. Sharers are responsible for liaising with the Borrower. If you are particularly concerned something will get damaged, please don’t share it.

Question 16

Will Borrowers who damage or steal equipment be banned?

Accepted Answer

We don’t exclude a member who’s broken an item, accidents happen. We do ask Sharers to feedback details of damage, thief etc. Members will be removed if there is evidence of theft. We are also exploring a member rating system to help build confidence between users.

Question 17

How do we request help at an event or activity?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking for other residents to help, tick the Helping Hand box on the online form. This adds the Helping Hand icon on your activity.

Question 18

Where are the volunteering opportunities shown?

Accepted Answer

LUMi isn’t for regular volunteering; instead, we encourage getting involved in your community, by offering occasional use of skills and time. Unsure how to help? Search on Helping Hands within activities page. Or better yet offer your time and skills on the Skills Share page and let the requests come to you.

For regular volunteering opportunities follow the link to Voluntary Norfolk’s site in resources.

Question 19

How do I sign up for or unsubscribe from the e-digest newsletter?

Accepted Answer

Within your account page click on edit my account. There’s an option to sign up for our fortnightly e-digest for updates on all the latest shares at the bottom of the page. You can amend your preferences or be removed from mailings at any time either by editing your account, or by using the unsubscribe link in the email.

Frequently asked questions

Memberships