service
Free
Achieving for Children (AfC) supports children and young people from birth to 25 years old. We work on behalf of Kingston Council.
Who is this for?
Age Group
- 14 - 17
Disability
- Anxiety disorders and stress
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cancer
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Hearing Impairment (deafness)
- Learning disability
- Mental health
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Visual impairment (blindness).
What is this service?
BuddyUp is a service run by Richmond AID supporting disabled young people aged 14-17 living in the Kingston and Richmond Boroughs. We match each young person with a volunteer of a similar age to enjoy outings together in the local area. These outings take place roughly twice a month over a period of about six months, with the aim of developing life skills and building confidence through social interaction.
Activities vary depending on the pair’s interests, whether it’s going to a café, bowling, the cinema, or simply catching a bus together - it’s all about what they’d enjoy doing. We also offer group outings, which are open to everyone in the service, which can also be a good option for those who may not be ready for a 1-to-1 pairing just yet.
If you know any young people living in the Kingston Borough who might benefit from BuddyUp, please feel free to share our contact details.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential referral.
Good to know
- Cost: Free
- Wait time: Longer than a month
- Signing up:
It is so easy to get involved! As long as you are 14-17 years old with an additional need and/or disability and you are a resident of the Kingston or Richmond Borough, you are eligible for this scheme.
For more information on BuddyUp Richmond: please email Beatriz: [email protected]
For more information on BuddyUp Kingston: please email Tilda at: [email protected]
If you would like to be a Volunteer for our BuddyUp service, we’d love to hear from so please just contact us using the emails above.
- Meeting up:
Who will buddy me?
We will take the time to talk to you and your family to learn more about your interests and hobbies. We ensure our volunteers are reliable, fun and enthusiastic and try to match them to our young people through similar tastes and interests. We will then give you and your family the chance to meet your volunteer buddy before getting started on BuddyUp.
Young people will be matched with a volunteer buddy who will support and encourage them to access activities and public transport, whilst building a real friendship. This is a great way to try new opportunities and to get out and about in your local area. Our buddy pairs go out for a few hours every fortnight at a time suitable for all – this can be during the day/after school/weekends or holidays!
- Additional information:
Are you 14-17 years old and looking for more independence?
Want to try a new club or activity and make friends with other young people?
It is so easy to get involved! As long as you are 14-17 years old with an additional need and/or disability and you are a resident of the Kingston or Richmond Borough, you are eligible for the Richmond and Kingston BuddyUp Scheme.
What is the Richmond and Kingston BuddyUp project?
This service is for young people with disabilities or additional needs aged between 14-17 years and living in the Richmond or Kingston boroughs. BuddyUp works by matching young people up with their own young volunteer (‘buddy’) and aims to enable young people to increase independence and confidence by getting out and about more in their community. And of course it’s about having fun and building a friendship!
What people say
"As Linda’s mum, I feel confident when she is out and about with her buddy having fun. It allows a moment’s breather in an otherwise hectic life."
