This page gives information about the BuDDies befriending scheme for professionals such as mental health service providers, placement coordinators, clinicians and healthcare professionals, etc. If you are looking for information about volunteering to be a BuDDy, or you would like a BuDDy for yourself, use the buttons below to go the the right page.
What is BuDDies?
BuDDies is a befriending scheme for disabled people in England who are feeling lonely or stressed at home. It is run on a voluntary basis by the user-led disability charity BuDS Disability Service (formerly Buckinghamshire Disability Service BuDS). It is not a commissioned service with a service level agreement.
Eligibility
All disabled people living in England are open to the BuDDies scheme. Disabled means that they fulfil the Equality Act definition of disability by reason of a mental, physical, sensory, or neurodevelopmental condition. Receiving a DWP disability benefit or NHS service is not necessary.
BuDDies is a free service provided on a voluntary basis. BuDS reserves the right to choose who may use the service. Abusive or hostile behaviour will result in immediate withdrawal of the service.
Duration
BuDDies is not time limited. People can be befriended for a short or long period according to their preference or need. There will be regular reviews to prevent dependence.
Tailored For Disabled People
BuDDies is not designed or intended to be a mental health, therapy, or counselling service. It is a befriending service tailored to the needs of disabled people, offering friendly social conversation between two people.
As a service tailored for the needs of disabled people, the volunteer befrienders (the “BuDDies”) will have a good understanding of disability and disability-related issues. This will include insight and knowledge about long-term physical and mental health conditions. As part of a disability charity, BuDDies will also have access to specialist information and insight covering all areas of disability. Many of the BuDDies will be disabled people themselves, and will therefore be able to offer a degree of peer-to-peer support.
Alongside a strong understanding of disability, BuDDies can communicate with disabled people using methods and techniques which meet their needs. These include telephone calls, video calls, BSL, Makaton, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), and messaging apps including Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Facebook Messenger, etc. SMS text message communications are not supported.
About The BuDDies
BuDDies are the BuDS volunteers who befriend and support isolated and lonely disabled people. They are from a wide variety of backgrounds, and are not intended or encouraged to offer anything beyond social befriending.
All BuDDies are fully safeguarded before becoming active. An enhanced DBS check for both adult and children workforces is conducted, personal, character, and/or professional references are taken up, and they are required to complete Level 1 and Level 2 safeguarding training. There is also in-house safeguarding and welfare training on at least an annual basis.
BuDDies are expected and supported to protect their full identity from the person they are buddying.
BuDDies work as part of a staff-led team within BuDS. They are trained to use a secure IT system for record keeping.
BuDS has multiple projects, and an active welfare and safeguarding team headed by Level 3 qualified staff and volunteers, including MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) referrals. BuDDies have 24/7 access to welfare and safeguarding support.
How To Make A Referral
To refer a client or service user for a BuDDy, complete the referral form below.
If you have any questions before referring a client or service user, please use the contact form below, making it clear that your enquiry relates to the BuDDies scheme.
Can Your Staff & Volunteers Become BuDDies?
We always welcome new BuDDies. Although BuDDies is a befriending service, and not a mental health or counselling service, many people building their career in mental health or counselling find BuDDies to be a valuable source of experience and skills. For those at the beginning of their careers, BuDDies can also offer qualifying experience.
Anyone joining BuDDies to get professional or vocational skills and experience will be comprehensively supported. We will talk about your training or skills needs, help you with an individual learning plan, and make sure that we can help you achieve your professional or vocational goals. This includes being able to give a work or academic/vocational reference.
If you’d like to invite your staff or volunteers to become BuDDies, there are downloadable digital posters on the BuDDies Resources page.
To express an interest in volunteering to be a BuDDy, please complete the form below and we will be in touch.