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General information

Portsmouth buddies

Portsmouth Buddies work to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. Established in 1993, buddies provide friendship, support through phone calls or visits; helping people live as independently as possible. A buddy is a trained volunteer, with a non-judgemental attitude who makes a commitment to give time, help and support.

What is a Buddy?

• Someone who makes a commitment to help and support and who wants to make a difference
• A volunteer who has been carefully selected and trained regardless of sex, race, religion, lifestyle or sexuality by Portsmouth Buddies
• A person with some basic knowledge about HIV and AIDS and an understanding of what is involved in living with an HIV or AIDS diagnosis
• People from all kinds of backgrounds who have a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory attitude and a respect for confidentiality

What can Portsmouth Buddies offer?

• A one-to-one friendship
• Friendship and emotional support
• Someone to go for a coffee with, or for a drink, or to see a film
• They might listen to music, chat or just be there

Who can have a Buddy?

Someone living with HIV/AIDS in the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire area, can use Portsmouth Buddies. Portsmouth Buddies is committed to serving people regardless of sex, race, religion, lifestyle, sexuality or mode of transmission of HIV. Many people with HIV/AIDS say that developing a relationship with a Buddy early on in their diagnosis is helpful. This means that they will not have the added stress of talking to a stranger should their health deteriorate.

How do you get a Buddy?

Telephone Portsmouth Buddies yourself on (023) 9264 7117, or ask your doctor, nurse, social worker or other helper to call us. They will arrange to meet you and talk about how the Buddy service could be of use to you. When you ask for a Buddy, we will ask whether you have any preference for a man or a woman, for a particular age range, and so on. We try to match the Buddy to the individual request when we can, although we cannot always meet every request exactly. When you are happy to make contact, a Buddy will be introduced to you.

Having a Buddy is always under your control. You will be contacted regularly to make sure that you are happy with the service. You can withdraw at anytime if you change your mind or if you are unsure of anything. Buddying is a service which can help you - why not use it?

Buddies are there not to be nurses or carers, but friends.

How do you become a Buddy?

People aged from 18 onwards are invited to call us. Buddies come from all kinds of backgrounds. We have Buddies in full-time employment - working in a wide range of jobs, unemployed, retired and students. If you are interested, the first step is to telephone (023) 9264 7117.

After induction training you will be invited to an interview. If we think you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, you will be invited to join Portsmouth Buddies.

Once you are a Buddy you will be asked to attend a fortnightly support and supervision group which will include some follow up training sessions. These will include medical updates and workshops on various subjects likely to be useful to you in your Buddy work.

Contact us

Portsmouth Buddies
Keswick House
45-47 Copnor Road
Portsmouth P03 5AB

Tel: (023) 9264 7117
Fax: (023) 9264 3906