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A group of friends smiling with a black male in a wheelchair surrounded by his white friends sitting on the floor around him.

Buddying programme

empowering connections, enriching lives

Our Buddying programme connects disabled adults with volunteer Buddies through online, phone, and in-person support.

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Led by disabled people, our service prioritises inclusivity, accessibility, and meaningful connections.

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Build lasting friendships, reduce isolation, and engage more with your community.

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request a buddy
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become a buddy
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refer someone

types of activities provided

FAQs

Click on the Frequently Asked Questions below to find out more information, or jump to the answers by clicking here.

I want a Buddy

What's the criteria for having a Buddy?

Our Buddying programme is only available to disabled people aged over the age of 18. This includes people with physical, sensory or hidden disabilities, such as chronic illnesses/pain conditions or neurodivergence.

What's the criteria

What sort of activities are provided through the Buddying programme?

Buddies provide companionship with social and leisure activities, through face-to-face, online and telephone engagement. Activities might include, but are not limited to:

  • Going for a walk

  • Meeting for a coffee

  • Going to a concert

  • Going to the theatre

  • Going to a football match or other sporting event

  • Going to the cinema

  • Going out to eat  

  • Going to the pub

  • Attending a class activity together such as art

  • Having a night out

  • Going clothes shopping / enjoying retail experiences together 

  • Going to museums and galleries

  • Going to the gym

 

This list is not exhaustive and activities will be agreed upon by both parties.

Activities

What is not provided by a volunteer Buddy?

Our Buddies are there to provide companionship and are not a care service. Buddies are therefore not able to provide:

  • Personal care, such as toileting or washing

  • Personal assistance, such as booking appointments or sending emails

  • Personal escort services, such as taking you to appointments

  • Support worker services, such as cooking and cleaning

  • Advocacy, such as decisions about your care, health or finances

  • Dating services

  • Support with illegal activities

Not provided

Where can I access personal care or other services not provided by Buddies for All?

Whilst Buddies for All doesn’t provide certain services, we are aware of the need for other services and the frustration that many people face when trying to find relevant service providers. We’ve collated a database of other service providers that you may find useful – take a look at our Information and Advice page.

Other services

Do I need to pay for my Buddy?

Your Buddy is volunteering their time, so you do not need to pay them. However, any out-of-pocket expenses they might incur to attend any activities together will need to be paid for by the service user. This might be their ticket to attend the event or any travel costs.

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You will be able to agree on what this would cost in advance of meeting up.

Do I pay?

What protections are in place for me as a service user?

Your safety is our main concern, so all of our volunteers are interviewed, provide two references which are thoroughly checked, and have an enhanced DBS check. All volunteers will undergo extensive safeguarding training and onboarding procedures, so by the time you are paired with a volunteer Buddy, you can be assured they are exactly who they say they are, and you are in a safe hands.

What protections

Does Buddies for All support all disabled people?

We support disabled people with any type of physical, sensory or hidden disability (such as neurodivergence, or chronic health conditions). Generally, we are unable to support disabled people with complex health needs that prevent them from being independent or people with learning disabilities. However, if a disabled person has a personal carer that will be accompanying them on any Buddy activities, we will do our best to match them with a suitable volunteer Buddy.

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We currently only provide Buddying services to people aged 18 or over, and up to the age of 65.

All disabled people?

How quickly will I be paired with a Buddy?

This all depends on our available volunteer Buddies as we will find the most suitable person to pair you with. Sometimes this could be straight away, other times we might need to add you to a waiting list until a suitable volunteer becomes available.

 

We will keep you updated with any relevant information.

How quickly will I be paired?

What happens if I don’t get on with the Buddy you’ve paired me with?

That’s OK – a Buddy relationship needs to have good foundations to be successful, and if you don’t feel it’s the right match for you after spending some time together, we can re-match you so that you can find the best Buddy for you.

What if I don't get on?

How long will I get to spend with my Buddy each week?

Usually, it’s around 1 hour per week. This might change if you decide with your Buddy to attend an activity together that last longer. Most Buddy relationships last around 8 weeks, but this may continue if your Buddy wishes to continue volunteering.

How long will I spend?

What if I’m not enjoying the service?

We will do everything possible to understand why you are not enjoying the service and to make any changes to improve it for you.

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But if you decide it’s not for you, that’s OK - you can stop using the service at any point. We just ask that you give us 48 hours’ notice via email so that we can let your Buddy know.

Not enjoying
I want to be a Buddy

Can I volunteer as a Buddy as a disabled person myself?

Absolutely! We believe that being paired with another disabled person only enhances the Buddy relationship, as you will be in a better position to understand the difficulties your Buddy is facing.

Volunteer as a disabled person

Do I need to already have a DBS certificate to become a volunteer Buddy?

You will need an enhanced DBS check to be a volunteer Buddy, which are usually not available for individuals to obtain themselves. Therefore, Buddies for All will conduct an enhanced DBS check on your behalf following a successful interview.

DBS

Will I be reimbursed for any expenses incurred as a volunteer Buddy?

Yes – any out-of-pocket expenses for participating in your Buddying activities will be reimbursed by your Buddy. This could be travel costs or tickets for the activity you are going to together.

Reimbursed

What’s the process for becoming a Buddy?

Once you have applied to become a Buddy, you will need to provide us with two references that we will contact. You will need to attend an informal interview with us and answer questions about your interests, experience and why you want to be a Buddy. We will then conduct an enhanced DBS check due to the nature of working with vulnerable adults.

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​Once all of this has been completed satisfactorily, you will be expected to participate in safeguarding training and onboarding processes, which will provide you will all the necessary information to be an effective Buddy.

Buddy process

What ongoing support will be provided?

You will be given the contact information of our Buddy Coordinator who will be your main point of contact. They will be available for any questions or concerns you have.

 

There will be ongoing training requirements (approximately 2-4 times per year) which will help to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.

Ongoing support

How quickly will I be paired with a disabled service user?

This all depends on who is requesting our services as we will find the most suitable person to pair you with. Sometimes this could be straight away, other times we might need to add you to a waiting list until we have a suitable service user.

 

We will keep you updated with any relevant information.

How quickly

Will I be able to use this experience on my CV?

Absolutely! We will provide you with a volunteering certificate every four months that outlines the total number of hours completed as a volunteer Buddy during that period, which will come in handy for your CV or job applications.

 

We can also provide you with a reference should you require it.

CV

What happens if I don’t get on with the service user you’ve paired me with?

That’s OK – a Buddy relationship needs to have good foundations to be successful, and if you don’t feel it’s the right match for you after spending some time together, we can re-match you so that you can find the best service user for you.

Don't get on

How much time do I need to dedicate as a Buddy?

Usually, it’s around 1 hour per week, but it can be more if you have the time! As well as the time you spend with your disabled Buddy, you will need to complete a short feedback survey after each meeting (max. 20 minutes) to help us keep track of the service.

 

How long you volunteer for is up to you, but a good starting point is 8 weeks.

Time

What if I’m not enjoying volunteering?

We will do everything possible to understand why you are not enjoying volunteering and to make any changes to improve it for you.

 

But if you decide it’s not for you, that’s OK - you can stop volunteering at any point. We just ask that you give us 48 hours’ notice via email so that we can let your Buddy know and make alternative arrangements for them.

Not enjoying volunteering

How old do I have to be to volunteer with Buddies for All?

You'll need to be at least 18-years-old to volunteer with us, but if you're aged 16 or over get in touch and we will see what other options might be available.

How old?
Refer someone

Who can refer someone?

Anyone who cares for, works with or supports a disabled person aged 18-65 can refer them to Buddies for All. Whether you are their friend or family member, or a professional working with them, you can submit an enquiry on their behalf to be paired with a volunteer Buddy, so long as they meet our criteria as outlined on our website.

Who can refer

Will I be kept up to date about the referral?

Once we have received your referral enquiry, we will contact you to discuss the needs of the disabled person you are referring. Where appropriate or necessary, we will keep you updated on the process, but usually from a referral being accepted, all communication will be via the disabled service user.

Kept up to date

How quickly will the person I refer be paired with a Buddy?

This all depends on our available volunteer Buddies as we will find the most suitable person to pair them with. Sometimes this could be straight away, other times we might need to add them to a waiting list until a suitable volunteer becomes available.

 

We will keep you/the disabled person updated with any relevant information.

How quickly will they be paired

Why should I refer someone to Buddies for All?

If you care for or know a disabled person who is struggling with social isolation and loneliness, Buddies for All can help to alleviate that by pairing them with a compassionate volunteer Buddy. It helps to re-engage with their local community and participate in activities they enjoy, whilst gaining some independence from their immediate family, friends or support network.

 

Please note that Buddies for All isn’t a service to replace mental health services, personal care services or community care services.

Why

Where can I refer someone to for personal care or other services not provided by Buddies for All?

Whilst Buddies for All doesn’t provide certain services for disabled people, we are aware of the need for other services and the frustration that many people face when trying to find relevant service providers. We’ve collated a database of other service providers that you may find useful – take a look at our Information and Advice page.

Other services

What protections are in place for my disabled loved one?

Safety is our main concern, so all of our volunteers are interviewed, provide two references which are thoroughly checked, and have an enhanced DBS check. All volunteers will undergo extensive safeguarding training and onboarding procedures, so by the time your loved one is paired with a volunteer Buddy, you can be assured they are exactly who they say they are, and they are in a safe hands.

Protections for loved ones
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