Articles in Our Work

Articles in Covid-19

Covid wave in England may have peaked. Risk level remains High with 1 in 170 infected. Precautions including masking still essential

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 8 November 2026

Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have fallen this week, and there are early signs that we may be passing the peak of the current wave. However, the overall Covid risk level remains High, with 1 in every 170 people in England infected as of 8 November. Full precautions, including a PPE mask, remain strongly recommended in all indoor places – the wave may have peaked, but the risk remains high.

Influenza (flu) levels in England continue to increase steadily, although more slowly than seen in previous years.

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A BuDS Access & Inclusion survey taking place at Chiltern Open Air Museum, Bucks. A group of disabled people are seen leaving the "Tin Church"

Fair4All Access & Inclusion Surveys

Ben Clark

A Fair4All Access & Inclusion Survey is a comprehensive, holistic, assessment of how accessible and inclusive a business, site or service is for all disabled people. It includes but goes beyond those aspects of accessibility normally covered in a BS or DDA/EA compliance access audit.

Fair4All Access & Inclusion surveys are a unique service offered by BuDS Disability Service.

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A young woman in a powered wheelchair sits in front of a grey wall with plants on top. She is smiling towards the camera, and is holding a mobile phone in her left hand

About BuDS BuDDies

Ben Clark

Are you feeling lonely or stressed at home? Need a friendly chat with someone who understands? The BuDS BuDDies are here to help!

The blue and yellow BuDDies logo

What is BuDDies?

BuDDies is a specialist befriending service for disabled people who are socially isolated or feeling lonely at home. It aims to improve quality of life through social inclusion. BuDDies is a free service, and can continue for as long as it is wanted.

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Covid infections remain stable in England. Risk level remains High with 1 in 158 infected. PPE masks still strongly recommended indoors.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 1 November 2026

Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have remained stable for a second week. The overall Covid risk level remains High, with 1 in every 158 people in England infected as of 1 November. Full precautions, including a PPE mask, remain strongly recommended in ALL indoor places.

Influenza (flu) levels in England continue to increase as the winter flu wave continues to build, but slower than would be expected based on previous waves. This does not mean that a smaller wave is coming, just that it may take longer to reach a peak. The risk from flu is rising, and precautions should be taken accordingly.

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Three people sitting at a long desk working on laptops and desktop computers. There are papers and glasses of water also on the table.

About Reach4Work

Ben Clark

BuDS has been supporting its volunteers into or towards work for more than 15 years. Our Reach4Work project was set up in 2018 to build on that experience by creating a discrete, professional wrap-around service to support not only our disabled volunteers but also other disabled people seeking employment. 

BuDS is exceptionally successful at moving disabled jobseekers into or closer to work, with 95% reporting positive progress. Around a third of our disabled jobseeker volunteers move into work or vocational training within a year of starting with BuDS.

BuDS is exceptionally successful at moving disabled jobseeker volunteers into or closer to work…

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A collage of quote boxes containing short phrases by Reach4Work participants about the scheme. The graphic title is Reach4Work: What Participants Say.

Reach4Work: What Participants Say

Ben Clark

Reach4Work is a scheme by BuDS Disability Service to support disabled people who are looking for work, or to move closer to work.

Developed and run by disabled people for disabled people, Reach4Work offers a personalised, flexible but structured, pathway towards employment that has successfully supported over 400 disabled adults over the last decade.

Find out what Reach4Work participants have to say.

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Covid infections stop rising in England. Risk level remains High with 1 in 152 infected. PPE masks still strongly recommended indoors.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 25 October 2026

Ben Clark

Covid infections in England have stopped rising this week. The overall Covid risk level remains High, so full precautions, including a PPE mask, remain strongly recommended in ALL indoor places. As of 25 October, 1 in every 152 people in England were infected.

Influenza (flu) levels in England continue to increase as the winter flu wave continues to build, but slower than would be expected based on previous waves. This does not mean that a smaller wave is coming, just that it may take longer to reach a peak. The risk from flu is rising, and precautions should be taken accordingly.

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A blue button marked "Sign Up" in white letters, with a stylised hand about to press it

Sign Up To Reach4Work

Ben Clark

Signing up to Reach4Work is very easy. Just tell us that you are interested in joining Reach4Work, and we will get in touch with you. We will get back to you as quickly as we can, but it can take up to a week if we are busy.

The easiest way to sign up is to complete the form below, making it clear that your enquiry is about Reach4Work. Please tell us if you would like us to communicate with you in a particular way, e.g. no phone calls or by social media messaging.

You can also email volunteering@buds.org.uk or leave a voicemail on 01494 211179.

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Covid wave continues to grow in England. Risk level remains High with 1 in 149 infected. PPE masks strongly recommended indoors.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 18 October 2026

Ben Clark

Covid infections in England are continuing to increase, up 6% on last week. The overall Covid risk level remains High and, as of 18 October, 1 in every 149 people in England were infected. Full precautions, including a PPE mask, are strongly recommended in ALL indoor places.

Influenza (flu) levels in England are increasing rapidly as the winter flu wave continues to build, up a fifth (20%) on last week. 

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