News – Page 6

Articles in BuDDies

A man and a woman sitting on a low wall talking happily with sand dunes in the background. Both the man and the woman have prosthetic left legs.

Happy Birthday BuDDies!

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 Ben Clark

BuDDies, our befriending service for disabled people, is three years old today (Monday 24 April). Started as a response to the Covid lockdowns in 2020, it is now a permanent project continuing to help scores of lonely and isolated disabled people across Buckinghamshire and beyond. BuDDies is the only fully safeguarded befriending service in Bucks that can communicate with disabled people in the way that best suits them, including BSL, messaging, and video calls. BuDDies also supports people with long-term and complex mental health conditions who are often unable to access other befriending services.

BuDDies are BuDS volunteers who call you regularly for a chat about anything you like. The calls are not therapy or counselling, just friendly conversation. You can talk about things that are troubling you, or just have a social chat. We will try to match you with a volunteer that suits your needs and the calls can be as often or as infrequent as you like, or just a one-off. To learn more about BuDDies, or to ask for a BuDDy, click here.

1 in 57 people in Bucks now infected. 5 infected people in a busy supermarket. Risk of meeting someone with Covid now Very High.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 24 April 2023

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023 Ben Clark

The risk of meeting a Covid-infected person in your everyday life this week is Very High, as the latest wave continues to decline. Around 1 in every 57 people in Bucks have Covid.

As an example of the risk of catching Covid, a typical busy supermarket will have between 5 and 10 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 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 person looking at a laptop. On the laptop screen are pictures of 4 people in a video call.

Why Is Now The Best Time To Volunteer & Join Reach4Work?

April 20, 2023April 18, 2023 Ben Clark

Written by David Bennett

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.

The Covid pandemic triggered a truly remarkable effect upon the workplace. Before Covid, everybody was expected to attend an office and sit at a desk where they could be seen to be “working”. In some enlightened workplaces, the advent of remote communication technology allowed employees to work from home. This managerial concession had led to some workers being allowed to occasionally work from home when circumstances demanded it. Indeed, there were some that were allowed to work 100% from home but these were the exception rather than the rule. With the onset of the pandemic, it became imperative if work was to continue, then employees had to be enabled to work from home. Due to technological advances, this proved far easier than managers thought.

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

April 17, 2023April 19, 2023 Ben Clark

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:

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

April 17, 2023April 17, 2023 Ben Clark

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.

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 red virus cell breaking out from between two purple half virus cells

XBB.1.16 ‘Arcturus’ – What You Need To Know

April 13, 2023April 13, 2023 Ben Clark

There has been a lot of discussion in the media recently about the new ‘Arcturus’ variant of Covid-19, technically known as XBB.1.16. BuDS has been through the available scientific publications, Government analysis, and more, to bring you a brief summary of what you need to know about this new variant. Read on for more.

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

April 13, 2023April 20, 2023 Janneke

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.

BuDS Joins Neurodiversity in Business (NiB)

April 12, 2023April 12, 2023 Ben Clark

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.

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

Mobile Phone Emergency Alert – 23 April 2023

April 12, 2023April 12, 2023 Ben Clark

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.

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)

April 12, 2023June 12, 2023 Ben Clark

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.

To download the job description, click here:Download

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.