about buddies for all
Buddies for All CIC, launched in 2021, connects disabled adults with Buddies for meaningful support and connection. We offer online, phone, and in-person interactions aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation, while improving disabled people's physical, sensory, and mental well-being.
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Our accessible service, led by a disabled founder, focuses on overcoming participation barriers. As we expand nationally, all profits are reinvested to sustain and grow our impact.
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Through face-to-face support, disabled people participate in community activities and receive help with tasks like shopping. This personalised approach promotes independence and empowers disabled people to reach their full potential.
our founder
david bourroughs
Founder
Buddies for All is a disabled-led Community Interest Company for people with disabilities. It was founded by David Bourroughs to combat the social isolation he experienced as a disabled person.
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David has a First Class BA (Hons) degree in advertising and digital marketing communications from the University of Greenwich. Additionally, with a professional career surpassing a decade, extensively covering all sectors of commerce - Private, Public and Charitable - he has expertise in operational management, business communications, content management systems, supporter development and editorial direction.
His ability to operate across multi-disciplinary projects stems from the wearing of many hats during his professional career – researcher, data analyst, marketer, campaign manager and implementing social care plans and budgets. These achievements are despite David being born with cerebral palsy, using a wheelchair, and having hearing loss and speech impairment.
These experiences have equipped him with key attributes that are at the core of his ambitious character making him highly motivated, hugely determined, a fast learner, with excellent communication skills and a strong team player. This showcases his undoubted ability to run a community-led business.
our vision
A world where everyone, regardless of their disability, has the opportunity to build meaningful, supportive, and lasting connections, empowering them to overcome daily challenges and lead fulfilling lives.
our mission
To enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of disabled people by connecting them with compassionate Buddies who offer support, connection, and access to community activities. We strive to reduce loneliness, alleviate social isolation, and foster a sense of belonging through telephone, online and face-to-face interactions.
What is a Community Interest Company (CIC)?
A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a fairly new type of corporate structure that is set up for the benefit of the community. It is similar in its charitable, not-for-profit purpose to that of a charity, but is not registered with the Charity Commission. It is a company limited by guarantee, rather than by shares.
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Any company surpluses will continue to be invested back into the company in order to maintain the future growth of Buddies for All. This includes covering the travel expenses of volunteer Buddies as the face-to-face service develops.
Surpluses will also be used to pay for promotional materials such as leaflets, flyers, travel expenses and salaries, for administrative purposes, as well as for the continued technological development of our website and online referral platform.