Buddies worked one to one with our members to help people with a learning disability access activities in the community such as courses, volunteering or simply having fun. They provided guidance, coaching and mentoring support to help people become more confident and independent. Buddies did not provide personal care to their buddy mentee. Expenses such as travel costs could be provided. No specific qualifications, skills or experience were required, although good listening skills, motivational skills and patience were important.
Training was provided and a DBS was applied for through Wirral Mencap. Buddy pairs met with a staff member at Wirral Mencap at regular intervals and staff were available to provide support and advice if needed. Many buddy pairs lasted for years and others moved on to being friends who met up at Wirral Mencap social events. Some buddies went on to become paid members of staff at Wirral Mencap.
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On Being a Mencap Phone Buddy
I could not believe it had been almost eighteen months since my phone rang and Julie asked me if I would like to be a phone buddy to a lady in my neighbourhood. I was happy to accept.
Julie gave me a few basic details about my new Hoylake neighbour and I made contact. Immediately I found it very easy to chat with Lynn, especially since we lived so close to each other and had things in common. Neither Lynn nor I had any previous experience of sharing a phone buddy partnership. I began to call Lynn weekly. Occasionally it had been ten days between chats and we usually spoke for about half an hour.
I soon needed to put a face to the voice on the phone so I suggested visiting her. At first we sat outside on a bench near her front door. One day I took a dog round as I came off the beach on a pleasant summer day.
I visited Lynn at Easter, Christmas or for her birthday. Lynn always made me a lovely cup of tea and treated me to her chocolate biscuits. It was so nice to have someone make a cuppa for you.
Unfortunately things changed when Lynn became unable to go outside due to health problems. However, this did not interfere with our telephone friendship. We continued our chats as regularly as before and occasionally exchanged text messages.
Lynn and I became friends. She knew about my life and family and often gave me strong and thoughtful advice. She was very clear thinking.
We both looked forward to the day Lynn would be able to go out again. We planned to share a trip to one of Hoylake’s excellent cafes which would be an important moment for her.
Lynn told me. “It is nice to have a friend”, “We keep in touch”, “It is a lifeline”, “It is good to know that if anything happens there is someone there and we can text.”
As always, volunteering with Mencap brought me much satisfaction and a strong sense of wellbeing for both of us. I was glad I was asked. Thank you Lynn. Thank you Mencap.