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Short breaks

For children and young people with disabilities and/or additional needs

Community buddies: information for parents

Community buddies

Community buddies is a new service provided through our short breaks programme. It is designed to enable children and young people from 7 to 19 years old with a disability and/or additional needs to access activities in the community.

Who are community buddies?

A community buddy is:

  • a volunteer or a paid member of staff

  • interviewed, checked and trained before they are approved

  • matched to the person best suited to them.

What do community buddies do?

Community buddies:

  • accompany a young person to their chosen activity, giving them time away from home

  • help the young person to do things they want to do - it is up to the young person and their parents to decide how to use their community buddy time

  • are available to provide support in all areas of the community, such as going shopping, bowling or going to the cinema.

Who can use a community buddy?

Community buddies

The community buddy scheme is open to children and young people from 7 to 19 years old who:

  • have a disability and/or additional needs and may require support to participate fully in leisure and recreation activities

  • live in Hampshire and/or attends a school in Hampshire (excluding Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight as they have similar schemes).

How can I find out about community buddies?

You can find a list of approved community buddy providers, and the areas they cover, from Parent Voice at www.parentvoice.info

To join Parent Voice, register online, email parentvoice@roseroad.org.uk or call 023 8072 1206.

How much does it cost?

There is a standard change of £5 per hour for a community buddy (plus the cost of the activity and travel). However, there is no limit on the number of hours you can use.

When can I use a community buddy?

You can use a community buddy after school, at weekends, in the school holidays, for a few hours, or a whole day - the choice is yours!

Community buddy leaflet

You can download this information as a leaflet.

Contact us

To find out more about short breaks, email shortbreaks@hants.gov.uk or call 01962 846399.

 

Gateway Card

Register for a Gateway Card for access to activities, play schemes and buddy schemes available through our short breaks programme.

Parent participation

  • Parent Voice - a network of parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities and/or additional needs to provide you with information and advice.