BuDDies Information For Professionals

A nurse wearing blue scrubs looking intently into a large black computer monitor. In the background are medical posters and a man in a wheelchair being pushed by a female nurse.

BuDDies Information For Professionals

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 Ben Clark

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.

I’d like a BuDDy

Volunteer to be a BuDDy

A lady with pink hair and wearing a white tshirt sits in a powered wheelchair, talking on the phone. The phone is held to her left ear, and she is smiling. There is a window and sofa in the background.

Becoming A BuDS BuDDy

September 17, 2025September 22, 2025 Ben Clark

What is BuDDies?

BuDDies is a befriending scheme for disabled people in England who are feeling lonely or stressed at home. BuDDies is available to all disabled people in England who want friendly conversation with someone who understands. It is a free service, and can continue for as long as it is wanted.

Who are the BuDDies?

BuDDies are the BuDS volunteers who befriend and support isolated and lonely disabled people. This is a really rewarding role which can be done flexibly, and in your own time. No particular skills or experience are needed, just a friendly, caring, and non-judgemental approach and a willingness to be a “buddy” to someone who needs a friend.

1 in 186 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels rise sharply over last two weeks. Covid risk level raised to HIGH.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 14 September 2025

September 16, 2025September 16, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have risen sharply over the last 2 weeks, as have other Covid measures. The overall risk level has risen from moderately high to High. It is clear that the next Covid wave is building fast, and we urge everyone to resume or continue precautions against catching this dangerous virus. Now is also the time to get your Covid boosters (if available to you) as quickly as possible.

1 in 224 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels again remain roughly the same. Precautions now needed in nearly all indoor places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 31 August 2025

September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 Ben Clark

After their recent big jump, Covid infection levels in England have again remained roughly static this week. As of 31 August, around 1 in every 224 people in England were infected. A further increase is only a matter of time, and we shall continue to closely monitor the situation. As the overall trend in infection levels is still upwards, we continue to advise people to resume strict precautions.

1 in 221 people in England likely now infected. Covid levels remain roughly the same. Precautions now needed in nearly all indoor places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 24 August 2025

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England, which jumped by nearly a fifth the week before last, have remained at roughly the same level this week. We continue to advise people to start resuming strict precautions if they do not wish to catch Covid, as we believe the trend in infection levels is still upwards.

1 in 214 people in England likely now infected. Historically lower levels come to an end. Precautions now needed in nearly all indoor places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 17 August 2025

August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 Ben Clark

The long period of historically lower Covid infection levels in England has come to an end. Covid infection levels in England have jumped nearly a fifth in the last week, and the overall Covid risk is just below High. Now is the time for people to start resuming strict precautions if they do not wish to catch Covid.

1 in 249 people in England likely now infected. Historically lower levels predicted to rise. Precautions still needed in higher-risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 10 August 2025

August 13, 2025August 13, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have once again risen, but remain at historically lower levels. Around 1 in every 249 people in England were infected in the week to 10 August, and the overall Covid risk remains Moderately High.

Covid infection levels in England, measured by multiple data sources, have remained at historically lower levels since January 2025. We have not yet seen the huge waves of infection that we saw in 2024 and 2023. However, disregarding weekly fluctuations, Covid infection levels in England are very slowly rising, and this week’s infection level is the highest since January.

1 in 284 people in England likely now infected. Historically lower levels scientifically verified. Precautions still needed in higher-risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 27 July 2025

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England have stayed roughly similar to last week, and remain at historically lower levels. Around 1 in every 284 people in England were infected in the week to 27 July, and the overall Covid risk remains Moderately High.

A young black girl wearing bright pink trousers and headphones sits against a brick wall covering her face with her arms in a gesture of sadness or anxiety. Two other young students are seen walking by.

SEND Transitions Research Reports

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 Ben Clark

On Thursday 24 July 2025, BuDS published two major research reports about the experiences of disabled/SEND children and young people in education in Buckinghamshire.

1 in 275 people in England likely now infected. Covid infection levels remain historically lower. Precautions still needed in higher-risk places.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment: Week Ending 20 July 2025

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 Ben Clark

Covid infection levels in England remain at historically lower levels, despite a slight rise in the last 2 weeks. Around 1 in every 275 people in England were infected in the week to 20 July, and the overall Covid risk remains Moderately High.

There is still no sign that any of the new variants circulating in England have become sufficiently competitive to trigger a new wave of Covid. While a significant number of people in England have Covid in any particular week (around 210,000 last week), it appears that newer variants are simply replacing older variants without much increase in the overall total. This churn of variants explains why weekly totals sometimes go up or down within the same historically lower range.