How to get the most out of your Mumsnet Local site

• How do I access my local site?

If you click on the "your local site" button or "local listings" link and are not registered, it will ask you to register, or for registered members, to log in. This is so we know where your local site is and can send you there straight away. Once you have registered with Mumsnet and given us your postcode, as long as you are logged on, whenever you click on your local site you will be taken to your "home" site ie the one that covers your postcode area.

• Can I visit or join other sites?

Yes! Mumsnet Local is a great resource for anyone planning a holiday, day trip or lock stock and barrel move to a new town or area. All you have to do is click on the "other sites" link at the top of your home local page. Then you can either add the postcode of the place where you want to join, or just pick a site from the list below. You can be a member of as many Mumsnet Local sites as you want though have to designate one as your "home" site and this will come up first whenever you click on "your local site"

• What happens if I move house?

Just click on the prefs (short for preferences) link at the top of your current local page. This will allow you to type in a new postcode and make that site "home." It's also worth at this point updating your general Mumsnet registration details. You can do this by clicking on My Mumsnet and then registration details.

• How do I search for an event, place or activity in my area?

Just use the search box in the top left hand corner:

If you just want to see what's on in your area, have a look at the what's on section on the right hand side.
To see all the local listings that have been made so far for your area, look at latest listings and click on the show all local listings. When you reach the map page you can either use the search box at the top or click on one of the icons above the map and all the listings in that category will appear on the map and in a list on the right hand side.

• How do I add a local listing?

Your local site can only get better and more useful if people like you add their opinions and recommendations of local services and activities. It's easy to add a listing – just click on any of the add a local listings links and follow the directions. Or click on the map at the point where the event/activity takes place and fill out the form from there. If you don't know the exact location, or it's not relevant, don't worry. If, once you've added a listing you then want to mark it on the map, click on show on map. This will take you to your marker on the map and if it's in the wrong place, you can drag it into position.

Often adding a listing to local is one of the entry requirements for our weekly competitions so as well as giving invaluable insight, you could bag yourself a prize as well!

• I've made a mistake in my listing or want to amend it, what should I do?

Click on the "make corrections to this listing" link and then amend your listing and click save. If you think the listing is showing up in the wrong place on the map, click "show on map" and move the marker.

• How can I meet a mum in my area?

If you click on Meet a mum link you will be taken to a page listing all the Mumsnet members who have said they'd be happy to meet up with people in their area. You will need to have joined the CAT (contact another Talker) scheme in order to email these people. This costs £5 for a year and also entitles you to use the For Sale boards on the main Mumsnet Talk boards. Please treat meeting up with a mumsnetter in the same way you would any person you met on the internet. Always meet in a public place (not your home) and do not give out personal details until you feel confident that they are who they say they are.

• How can I get my name on the local Meet a Mum list?

If you go into My Mumsnet and click on your registration details, it will give ask you if you'd like other members to see your talk nickname in their list of local mumsnetters. If you are happy to be in the meet a mum list, select yes. Mumsnetters will contact you via the Contact another talker (CAT) system so it's important when you sign up to this list that you go to My Mumsnet and click on email prefences and make sure that you have ticked to receive CAT messages. Otherwise it's pointless being on the list as noone can contact you!

• How can I chat to local people online?

You need to have joined Mumsnet and have chosen a chat nickname and a password (this only takes a minute and costs nothing).  Then you just go to the Local Talk section of the Local site you're on and click on join in local Talk. Either join in an existing conversation by typing in the "add your message here" box, or start one of your own by clicking on the "here" link in (e.g.) To create a new conversation in the "Mumsnet Local - Islington" topic, go here

• What's a local Tsarina?

A Tsarina is a Mumsnet member who has volunteered to be the Local site editor. She (or occasionally he) is responsible for keeping the What's On? section up to date, adding new listings/comments and editing listings/deleting duplicate listings, plus answering queries on Local Talk. If you're interested in becoming a Tsarina, please email editorial@mumsnet.com

• How can I get in touch with my Local Tsarina?

The name of your local Tsarina is displayed in the bottom left hand corner of your Local home page. If you want to get in touch you can use the CAT system (contact another Talker).