Social Buddies befriending service initiative is looking for some friendly volunteers

The Social Buddies initiative is a befriending service that matches volunteers with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) Day service users in the Community Health Organisation (CHO1) which includes Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Monaghan and Cavan for leisure purposes.

Social Buddies aims to support people who attend ID Day services to access social supports outside the traditional day-service hours, and to facilitate friendships among peers in the local community supported by a volunteer. 

The social buddies programme is in line with HSE New Directions policy which aims to create supports for Individuals who use Disability Day services to create a more fulfilling life of their own choosing in their own community.

The programme is a GENIO funded initiative and is part of the Service Reform programme funding (SRF) which is being developed between HSE CHO1 and Spraoi agus Sport.

The initiative is guided by co-design/person-centered planning principles that assist individuals who use ID Day services to create a more satisfying and fulfilling social life in their own locality and online. E-social Buddies is the online version of social buddies where Service Users can connect with E-volunteers for leisure purposes.

The service relies on volunteers from the community who commit to becoming a Social Buddy for the duration of one year. The Service Users are matched with Volunteers of similar age/location and interests.

Becoming a volunteer is a personally rewarding way to gain work experience and give back to the community. Volunteers are Garda vetted and receive training as part of the service.

Volunteers give their time to enable people who use the ID Day services to socialise outside their day service hours and attend activities in their communities. Volunteers have a great opportunity to make new friends, increase their skills and confidence, and increase future job prospects! Volunteer Ireland are hosting the volunteering opportunity in all their centres in the Community Health Organisation Area 1.

Social Buddies Coordinator Caroline McDaid describes her experience of volunteering:

“My experience over the years working in a community volunteering capacity is that there is no such thing as an unselfish act. When you give your time and energy freely and willingly everybody wins. The receiver receives much needed social connection and assistance and the giver gets the good feeling from assisting others which in turn helps our wider society to become more and more inclusive environment for everyone.”

For more information on how to volunteer please contact Social Buddies Coordinator Caroline Mc Daid, Rossan College, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, F92K7WY.Tel: (089) 4216204 

or email carolinemd@spraoiagussport.ie