The mission of Best Buddies High Schools is to provide an opportunity for high school students to be matched in a one-to-one friendship with other young people who have intellectual disabilities. We match pairs based on their likes, age, where they live and their gender.
Social experiences and relationships are a part of life; unfortunately individuals with intellectual disabilities have historically been excluded from many of the social opportunities that most people take for granted. This might include having friends at school, or just hanging out with people who are their own age. While it may be hard to believe, some of our Buddies have never had a friend at all.
It is through friendship that many of us learn about the world. We learn how to get along with others, we develop a sense of what we like and don’t like. We gain a better sense of who we are while away from our families. Friendship helps us develop our own self esteem. And all these things help later in life, whether it’s getting a job, moving out of home, meeting new people or coping with the many challenges we face.
Best Buddies High Schools pairs young people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with other students from their own school.
A High School Chapter is a group of young people who meet on a regular basis. They help organise the Buddy Pairs, plan group events together and support each other. We do this because sometimes we need the help of others to achieve our goals and also because it’s fun.
Best Buddies Staff assist by providing training for volunteers, Buddies, teachers and parents. Each High School Chapter has a President, Secretary, Treasurer and a Buddy Director. This leadership team is supported by teachers and the school Principal.
To find out more, contact Best Buddies Australia.
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