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Borders Buddies

Following an initial pilot run in Tweeddale thanks to a Scottish Borders Community Fund grant, Borders Buddies launched as a two-year project with National Lottery Community Fund (Improving Lives) funding in 2023. The funding enabled us to support people in wider outlying areas of Tweeddale as well as people in the Hawick area of the Scottish Borders. This is an archived project.

What we're doing

Borders Buddies supported people to return to doing things they enjoyed before but which, either due to the pandemic, ill health or other factors, they had stopped doing. It enabled them to reconnect with other people in the community, reduce isolation and build individual and community resilience.

Through our network of contacts in Tweeddale and Hawick, we reached people who were looking for a way of reconnecting with others in their local community. Through the project we:

Found people a suitable buddy to support them with what they wanted to do
Provided support to go through the practical and emotional challenges or obstacles to ‘getting back to normal’
Provided digital support to those not ready to go back out yet
Signposted to virtual resources people could access online

The impact it's having so far

During the pandemic we supported local people in Tweeddale to find a buddy who helped them rebuild their confidence about getting out and about again. Although things had moved on, we were still hearing from people who had become socially isolated for all sorts of reasons. The project worked with all ages over 16; we found that often young adults needed this kind of support too.

We also worked with local artists, to create a series of wellbeing and relaxation videos. From yoga to storytelling and song, there are videos for adults and wee ones to enjoy! The videos can all be found on our YouTube channel.

For more information get in touch with ruth.n@otbds.org or christine@otbds.org

Please note Borders Buddies is an archived project by Outside the Box. It was fully funded by the National Lottery and there was no cost for anyone looking for Buddy support. If you are looking for the Selkirk-based service, Borders Buddies, which provides paid-for personal assistance and care for people with additional support needs, please follow this link: https://bordersbuddies.co.uk/home