The Children's Society operates a CamdenBuddying service that recruits and approves volunteers to enable disabled children and young people to participate more fully in their local communities. The service matches volunteers with similar interests to spend time with children, initially in their homes and later enjoying shared activities in the community. Volunteering offers personal and professional benefits while allowing children access to fun activities, independence, and new skills.
2. The Children’s Society has been
successfully recruiting and approving
volunteers for over 128 years.
Student volunteers offer their time,
skills and enthusiasm to enable
disabled children and young people
to participate more fully in their local
communities. The service has won
National and European awards for its
innovative, safe and inclusive practice.
Volunteers are linked to children
and young people with similar
interests and hobbies, because
experience has shown us this makes
the most out of their time together.
To begin with students may spend
time in the child or young person’s
home whilst they get to know them.
As the relationship develops,
volunteers will share and enjoy
an activity chosen by the child or
young person, which sometimes
means learning essential skills to
increase independence, including
managing money, catching a bus
or learning to swim!
Volunteers (18 plus) are welcome
from all walks of life. Whether
you are a student, unemployed
or have some extra time we
want to hear from you!
Each volunteer is subject to
stringent checks, provided with
appropriate training and carefully
matched to a child or young person.
They are helped with out of pocket
expenses, and provided with a
transport service when needed.
“My favourite moment with Amy happened when I took
her swimming and she learnt to swim by herself, supported
by only a woggle under her chest. I have never been so excited
in all my life”. Student
Volunteering
offers you:
A way of combining
theory of studies with
practical experience
An opportunity to have
fun and share interests
Increased knowledge
of disability awareness
personal and
professional development
Improve employability
For the children & young
people it offers:
Access to a range of fun & leisure
activities
An opportunity to share interests
A greater degree of independence
An opportunity to learn new skills
For the parents
and families it provides:
Flexibility
The satisfaction in knowing your
child is safe, having fun and taking
part in ordinary activities
A short -break for the family
How you can volunteer?
“I used to feel I could not do anything because of my disability
but the student scheme has helped me realise that it isn’t all
horrible. I am doing something that I like”. Young person
TCS_013 Befriending leaflet_V1.indd 2 11/9/09 16:17:04