We have a situation where we want to allow a facilitator (who is assigned to the the Non-Editing Teacher role for the course) to be able to edit a label on the course page so that they can personalise their welcome message. However we don't want them to be able to have permission to be able to change any other aspect of the course design.

These are the steps:

1. Login as admin or another role that allows role assignment.

2. Create the label with the default welcome message, save and return to course.

3. Re-open the label.

4. Click the "Locally assigned roles" tab.

5. Click Teacher and assign the facilitator to that role.

The facilitator will now see the "Turn editing on" button and when in editng mode they will be able to edit the required label to personalise their welcome message. As the Teacher role was only assigned for the label they won't be able to adapt other resources or activites.

If you're using Moodle 1.9.x (sorry 1.8. users) tucked away at Bulk User actions (Home -> Administration -> Users -> Accounts -> Bulk user actions).

Filter users as required and add them to the "Selected" column and then from the "With selected users" drop-down select "Add / send message" to bring up the messaging interface.

One thing to watch out for is that the messaging system at Home -> Administration -> Security -> Site policies must be enabled.

Over the last year or so we've been working with Samaritans, a charity that offers 24-hour confidential emotional support via volunteers to anyone in emotional distress.

Samaritans has developed a series of elearning courses to provide a cost effective and convenient way for volunteers to be trained at home.

Read more in our case study here