Buddy Programme
The Bluestack Foundation has pioneered ‘The Buddy Programme’ - a project to help teens with special needs get out and enjoy a fuller social life. The idea was to encourage young adults aged 15-18 to devote just five hours a month to make someone's life a whole lot brighter. The young volunteers were asked to befriend and support someone of their own age and with similar interests.
The programme, which the Bluestack Foundation is delivering in partnership with Derry-based Foyle Parents and Friends Association, has been made available through funding from the EU Peace III Programme.
Full training was provided and there were lots of group activities for everyone throughout the programme. It was also hoped that the volunteers would spend a bit of time every month with their buddy - they could watch a match or a film together, go fishing, go for a bite to eat, whatever they wanted to do.
At the beginning of the project, there was a two-day residential followed by a series of group meetings, with lots of fun activities, and with adults present to monitor and assess the quality of the interaction. There were also four other training sessions during the course of the programme. Transport was provided, as group events took place at various locations throughout Donegal and in the Derry area.
At the end of the project, there will be another residential, with plenty of entertainment, and with the families all invited along to enjoy the celebrations.
Patrick McBrearty, a director of the Bluestack Foundation, says the initiative is the latest step towards achieving their objectives of enhancing the lives of people with special needs, whatever their age.
“We hope that we will be able to build on this pilot project, and that the young people involved will maintain their friendships. We also hope taking part in the Buddy Project will help increase participants’ confidence, and help them develop a more active social life in their own communities. This programme for teens is a natural extension from the work we are already doing here at the centre in Donegal town, with speech and language therapy, art workshops, our early intervention programme and family support initiatives."
The programme, which the Bluestack Foundation is delivering in partnership with Derry-based Foyle Parents and Friends Association, has been made available through funding from the EU Peace III Programme.
Full training was provided and there were lots of group activities for everyone throughout the programme. It was also hoped that the volunteers would spend a bit of time every month with their buddy - they could watch a match or a film together, go fishing, go for a bite to eat, whatever they wanted to do.
At the beginning of the project, there was a two-day residential followed by a series of group meetings, with lots of fun activities, and with adults present to monitor and assess the quality of the interaction. There were also four other training sessions during the course of the programme. Transport was provided, as group events took place at various locations throughout Donegal and in the Derry area.
At the end of the project, there will be another residential, with plenty of entertainment, and with the families all invited along to enjoy the celebrations.
Patrick McBrearty, a director of the Bluestack Foundation, says the initiative is the latest step towards achieving their objectives of enhancing the lives of people with special needs, whatever their age.
“We hope that we will be able to build on this pilot project, and that the young people involved will maintain their friendships. We also hope taking part in the Buddy Project will help increase participants’ confidence, and help them develop a more active social life in their own communities. This programme for teens is a natural extension from the work we are already doing here at the centre in Donegal town, with speech and language therapy, art workshops, our early intervention programme and family support initiatives."
