With online, phone, and in-person support*, you can support your client to build lasting connections, reduce isolation, improve well-being, and engage more with their community.
Our service, led by disabled people, prioritises inclusivity, accessibility, and meaningful connections.
​
*Please note that our in-person support is provided on an availability basis and we are currently expanding our in-person support across London initially.
We support disabled adults (aged 18-65) across the UK who are experiencing loneliness, isolation, or a lack of meaningful connection by pairing them with a trained, paid Buddy for one-to-one support. This service compliments other support provisions available for disabled adults and provides a non-clinical, social connection outside of healthcare services, helping to increase wellbeing and reduce social isolation.
You can read more about the type of Buddying support we offer further down the page as well as our programme fees.
If you work in health, social care, education, or the voluntary sector, you can refer someone directly to us in just a few minutes.
Who Can Refer
-
Social prescribers
-
Support workers
-
GPs and healthcare professionals
-
Charities and community groups
-
Educational staff and SEND professionals
-
Housing and outreach teams
Trust and Safeguarding
-
All Buddies are DBS checked, trained, and supervised
-
We follow a robust safeguarding policy
-
Referrers can request update reports or outcome summaries
Who We Support
We work with disabled people aged 18-65 who:
-
Are experiencing loneliness or social isolation
-
Would benefit from one-to-one companionship, confidence-building, or practical peer support
-
Are able and willing to engage with a matched Buddy
What We Offer
-
Weekly or fortnightly sessions via phone, video, or in-person (where available)
-
Carefully matched Buddies based on needs and preferences
-
Safe, supportive connections built around trust, fun, and shared goals
-
Short- and long-term support based on the individual’s goals
How to Refer
You can refer a client by completing our quick form:
​
Alternatively, download the referral form here and send the completed form to us at info@buddiesforall.org.uk.
​
Or email us at info@buddiesforall.org.uk with information about your client, including their age, disability, location and what sort of support they would benefit from.
Got questions before referring?
-
Take a look at our FAQs page
-
Call us: 0203 488 8629
-
Chat with us live on the website
-
Email us: info@buddiesforall.org.uk
What Happens Next?
-
We review the referral and contact the individual within 5-10 working days
-
We assess their preferences and availability
-
A matched Buddy is introduced, and support begins
We’ll always keep you in the loop if you'd like a confirmation or follow-up.
We provide a range of different Buddy services that you can refer a disabled adult to that you work with or care for:
​​
Meet with a trained Buddy in person in the local area* and do activities together such as:
-
going for a walk
-
meeting for a coffee and a chat
-
trips to the cinema, theatre, concerts
-
going to sport events like football matches
-
any other social activity
*Please note that our in-person support is provided on an availability basis and we are currently expanding our in-person support across London initially.
​
​
​
Connect with a Buddy via virtual video call or online messaging (such as through WhatsApp or email).​​​​
Buddying services
Buddying programme fees
At Buddies for All, we aim to keep our services as accessible and affordable as possible. We offer a range of flexible payment options to suit different circumstances and prices are available on request:
We have a limited number of free Buddies (up to 5 weeks) to support clients who are:
-
In receipt of means-tested benefits (e.g. Universal Credit)
-
Living in a low income household*
-
Experiencing significant financial hardship (e.g. out of work, full-time carer)
-
Unable to claim disability-related benefits
Please contact us if you are unsure whether you qualify for our free services on info@buddiesforall.org.uk.
​
​Clients receiving means-tested benefits can access up to 5 weeks of free Buddying support. After this period, ongoing support must be funded through one of our payment options, including "Pay What You Can" or by making a minimum donation of £6 per session to help cover our running costs.
Clients can use their disability benefits to pay for services (which are discounted). These include:
-
Personal Independence Payments
-
Disability Living Allowance
-
Direct Payments from their Local Authority
​
Prices for one hour of in-person Buddying available on request - please contact us by clicking the 'Contact Us' button below.
​
Prices for 30 minutes of telephone or 45 minutes of video call Buddying available on request - please complete an enquiry form below.
Clients who have a low-income but do not qualify for our free services or do not receive disability benefits can receive a discount on our standard fees.
​
Prices for one hour of in-person Buddying available on request - please contact us by clicking the 'Contact Us' button below.
​
Prices for 30 minutes of telephone or 45 minutes of video call Buddying available on request - please contact us by clicking the 'Contact Us' button below.​
Our standard fees for in-person and virtual Buddying are available on request - please contact us by clicking the 'Contact Us' button below.
Pay What You Can
We encourage all clients to contribute what they can to help sustain our service and support others in need. Every contribution makes a difference.
​
Pay It Forward
Through our "Pay It Forward" model, generous donors can gift sessions to clients who may not otherwise afford support. This allows more people to benefit from our Buddying service.
We are committed to ensuring no one is left without support. If you have any questions about payment options, please get in touch.