Leisure is an important part of everyone’s life including those with a disability.
Enjoying a variety of different peoples company
Interests and hobbies shared
Seeing the person not the disability!!
Using Local and National resources
Recreation is the key to a happy life
Experience new things with new people

Bringing out the best attitude to disability
Unlocking social barriers
Doing the best we can for ourselves and the community
Deciding on how things can be better in the future
Involving skills and experience to show the gift of friendship
Evolving with the times
So what are you waiting for?? Be a part of the bigger picture and make a difference today.

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Leisure Buddies (St. Christophers Services, Longford), which is funded by the
Dept of Justice, Equality and Law Reform through Pobals’ EDS (Enhancing
Disabilities Services) programme, is an innovative way to support people with disabilities to access mainstream leisure. Volunteers, who are matched on a one to one basis, with an individual with a disability, provide support.

Leisure is an important and valued part of everyone’s life, including those with a disability. In order to participate in leisure activities people with an intellectual disability usually have to rely on somebody for support.

The co-ordinator recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to do this while also providing support to the service users and their family where appropriate. All matches are supported by the co-ordinatior initially until both feel comfortable in each others company then the co-ordinator takes a step back and is always on call to offer support

The support the volunteers offer their buddy can take many forms:

1. Information about what’s available and how to become involved.
2. Transport to a location or activity.
3. A familiar face with whom to try out new experiences.
4. Someone with whom to share experiences and build a friendship.

This is where the volunteer comes in; by forming a relationship with someone with a disability a volunteer can assist their partner in trying out new things while enjoying each other’s company. It may just be the company and a chat over a cup of coffee, but it is supporting someone to enjoy their leisure time.

St. Hildas Services, Grace Park Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath in early January 2007, will be setting up Leisure Buddies in Athlone as part of the funding agreement with Pobal.