About Buddies for All
Buddies for All founder David Bourroughs has a First Class BA (Hons) degree in advertising and digital marketing communications from the University of Greenwich. Additionally, with a professional career surpassing a decade, extensively covering all sectors of commerce – Private, Public & Charitable, he has expertise in operational management, business communications, content management systems, supporter development and editorial direction.
His ability to operate across multi-disciplinary projects stems from the wearing of many hats during his professional career – researcher, data analyst, marketer, campaign management and the implementation of social care plans and budgets. These achievements are despite David being born with cerebral palsy, using a wheelchair, and having hearing loss and speech impairment.
These experiences have equipped him with key attributes that are at the core thrust of his ambitious character making him highly motivated, hugely determined, a fast learner, with excellent communication skills and a strong team player. This showcases his undoubted ability to run a community-led business.
Founder David Bourroughs. A white man with glasses in a grey suit, beige shirt and black tie.
Why the name Buddies for All?
About Buddies for All. The name Buddies for All means that both disabled people and non-disabled people can come together to support each other. A disabled person can be supported by a non-disabled person, likewise, a non-disabled person can be supported by a disabled person. Most importantly Buddies for All strives to offer peer-to-peer buddying meaning disabled people are able to offer support and advice to each other on the phone, via video or face-to-face. The name also signifies our intention to support disabled people with all social and leisure activities in the London borough of Lewisham. This is what we are about.
A disabled black man using his wheelchair rolling alongside 2 white woman and a white man.
How disabled people will benefit.
The disability community will benefit from online and telephone support from Buddies for All because of the potential reduction in their loneliness and social isolation, thanks to the support of their buddy. It is hoped that this support will result in our beneficiaries no longer feeling excluded or isolated in the community, feeling valued and being able to better contribute to society. Disabled people will also benefit from face-to-face support by participating in their favourite social and leisure activities such as going to the park, to the cinema, to a concert or to their favourite cultural or sporting event. This will give a disabled person the confidence to make new friends thus overcoming potential loneliness and social isolation in the London borough of Lewisham.
A white woman using a powered wheelchair socialising and having drinks with a white woman and man.
How we will spend income as a community interest company (CIC).
Company surpluses will continue to be invested in order to maintain the future growth of Buddies for All. This includes covering the travel expenses of volunteer buddies as the face-to-face service develops. Surpluses will also be used to pay for promotional materials such as leaflets, flyers, travel expenses and salaries, for administrative purposes, as well as for the continued technological development of our website and online referral platform.
A coin jar on a table full of coins, next to 3 piles of coins with leaves and a garden background.