The Citizens Program

Contribute to someone’s life just by playing sport, going to the movies or the footy, shopping, going out for a coffee or just simply hanging out….

Our Australian Best Buddies Citizens program matches adults who have and adults who don’t have an intellectual disability, in one to one friendships. Inspired by and based on the U.S.A model, our Citizens Program is accepted as being one of the best in the world.  This program has nearly 40 buddy pairs and we hope to expand to full national coverage within 5 years. 

By volunteering and becoming a Citizen Buddy you not only offer adults with an intellectual disability the opportunity of a wonderful friendship but also open yourself to new experiences and possibilities. Our volunteers often report they gain far more out of the mutual friendship than they ever would have anticipated.

These fantastic friendships are achieved by both the volunteer and adult with an intellectual disability committing to seeing each other once a fortnight for a few hours and touching base once a week either by either email or more commonly on the phone.  The commitment is made by both to be friends for at least 12 months.  Most Buddy pairs are often friends for much longer than the initial commitment and are friends for many years to come.

For many adults with an intellectual disability, this may be the first time they have a friend and enjoy a peer friendship with someone their own age, from their local community.  All Buddy pairs live with 30 minutes travel time to see each other.

A detailed volunteer assessment and matching process is conducted by the Best Buddies Program Manager to help choose the appropriate ‘Buddy Pairs’. Best Buddies Australia also provides detailed training and support to everyone involved.

The Buddy pairs are matched together based on personality and shared hobbies and interests.  As the Buddy Pair develop a strong and long term friendship, often they will introduce each other to friends and family in their lives.

Best Buddies is a great experience for adults with an intellectual disability. For all the adults with disabilities on the Best Buddies waiting list the one thing they all have in common is they have not had the opportunity to participate in a one on one friendship in their lifetime.

Best Buddies has the long term goal of one day there will not be the necessity to have the Best Buddies Program as people with intellectual disabilities will be so well integrated into society.  Join us in participating in the Best Buddies Mission……