Articles in Covid-19

A disabled person using a power wheelchair seen about to enter a community centre, which is being used as a polling station

Covid Risks When Voting In Person

People wearing masks when voting in person during elections may be asked by the election staff to remove their masks for an identity check. Taking your mask off exposes you to a higher risk of catching Covid, especially as there will be no Covid precautions in polling stations.

If you refuse to remove your mask when requested, it is likely that the election staff will not issue a ballot slip as you will not have passed the new identity check for elections. This means you will not be able to vote.

It is not yet certain how many polling stations will request people to remove their masks – BuDS is making urgent enquiries of the Electoral Commission. However, it is safer for you to assume that you will be asked to remove your mask if voting in person.

If you do not wish to be exposed to a higher risk of catching Covid by removing your mask in this way, BuDS recommends the following:

Read More
1 in 50 people in Bucks now infected. 6 infected people in a busy supermarket. Risk of meeting someone with Covid remains Extremely High.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 17 April 2023

The risk of meeting a Covid-infected person in your everyday life this week remains Extremely High, as the latest wave continues to decline. Around 1 in every 50 people in Bucks have Covid.

As an example of the risk of catching Covid, a typical busy supermarket will have between 6 and 11 infected people breathing out virus which you could catch.

The current wave of infection is now well past its peak, and will probably continue to decline over the next few weeks. However, the risk of meeting a Covid-infected person will probably remain Extremely or Very High for the rest of April.

BuDS continues to recommend that disabled and clinically vulnerable people avoid indoor spaces unless they are wearing a filter mask (FFP2/3). For more advice on how to avoid catching Covid, use this link.

This data is based on the Zoe Health Study for Covid-19, adjusted to take account of its limited coverage. To learn more about this, use this link.

For more Covid information and help, please contact BuDS and we will be happy to help.

A man holds another man by the throat, pushing him up against a wall. A woman films on her mobile phone.

Joining BuDS and the Attitudes and Hate Crime Project

Written by Hope Heeley

Disclaimer: this is a personal blog by a BuDS member. The views expressed are personal, and don’t necessarily represent those of BuDS or our Trustees.


Hello!

My name is Hope, I am the Disability Hate Crime Officer here at BuDS. I began working for BuDS in January 2023. BuDS is my first true experience of the working world and I have never felt more welcome.

“BuDS is an incredibly supportive and hard-working charity.”

BuDS is an incredibly supportive and hard-working charity. Their sole aim is to help disabled people in any way they can, this has been made clear to me in our most recent projects.

Read More
The Neurodiversity In Business Community Partner logo. It is a purple circle with a series of coloured arches around an image of a brain. The words "Neurodiversity in Business" are in the purple circle. The words "community partner" are in a blue banner across the lower portion of the circle.

BuDS Joins Neurodiversity in Business (NiB)

Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS) has become a Community Partner of Neurodiversity in Business (NiB), the voluntary industry forum supporting the participation of neurodivergent individuals in the workforce.

NiB draws on the cumulative knowledge of neurodivergency experts like BuDS and leading companies to share best practices and improve the employment and experience of neurodiverse people. 

Neurodivergency is a term used to describe a range of neurological conditions including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and Tourettes.

Read More
A red graphic featuring a vibrating mobile phone with the words Emergency Alerts on the screen

Mobile Phone Emergency Alert – 23 April 2023

On Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. Many (but not all) mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound, vibrate, and a test message will be read out to you. If your phone can receive alerts, you will still hear the test unless your mobile phone is completely turned off or is in flight mode. Compatible mobile phones set to silent will still receive the alert and make noise. Read on for more.

Read More
A woman sitting at a desk with two large computer monitors, smiling at the camera and wearing headphones

Grants Fundraiser (£25k – £28k pro rata) (CLOSED)

Could you help BuDS support even more disabled people by helping us find the funds we require? This role would suit anyone with prior bid writing and grants fundraising background or experience.

The role will involve identifying funding opportunities, bid writing, and grants administration. Working as part of a small and very supportive team, this role is home-based and has very flexible hours. Disabled people are particularly welcome to apply. It is for 20 hours per week at up to £15 per hour. BuDS works remotely and flexibly using MS Teams.


If you would like the job description in another format, please contact us.

To apply or express an interest, please send your CV to jobs@buds.org.uk. To arrange an informal chat about the role, please e-mail jannekee@buds.org.uk.

Four people wearing outdoor clothing and hi-vis jackets standing in a wood next to a information board. One of the people is a wheelchair user. They are smiling at the camera, although muddy and tired.

BuDS Fair4All Access & Inclusion Survey At Whiteleaf Cross

On Thursday 16th March, a group of disabled volunteers from BuDS visited the nature reserve at Whiteleaf Cross and Brush Hill, Princes Risborough, to carry out a Fair4All Access & Inclusion Survey on behalf of the Chiltern Conservation Board. This was a paid survey, but the conclusions made and recommendations given are entirely that of BuDS, and are not influenced in any way by the Chiltern Conservation Board.

To learn more about Fair4All Access & Inclusion Surveys from BuDS, click here.

Read More
1 in 45 people in Bucks now infected. 12 infected people in a busy supermarket. Risk of meeting someone with Covid now Extremely High

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 10 April 2023

The risk of meeting a Covid-infected person in your everyday life this week is now Extremely High, as we pass the peak of the latest wave. Around 1 in every 45 people in Bucks have Covid.

As an example of the risk of catching Covid, a typical busy supermarket will have between 7 and 12 infected people breathing out virus which you could catch.

The current wave of infection has now passed its peak, and will probably continue to decline over the next few weeks. However, the risk of meeting a Covid-infected person will probably remain Extremely High for the rest of April.

BuDS continues to recommend that disabled and clinically vulnerable people avoid indoor spaces unless they are wearing a filter mask (FFP2/3). For more advice on how to avoid catching Covid, use this link.

This data is based on the Zoe Health Study for Covid-19, adjusted to take account of its limited coverage. To learn more about this, use this link.

For more Covid information and help, please contact BuDS and we will be happy to help.