Be the Change you wish to see!

The Buddy program is an initiative run by OurParents venture to connect qualified student volunteers from reputed colleges with senior citizens. This will help in an  inter-generational exchange allowing the students to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the seniors and in return offer companionship and support to the seniors. The aspects of the Buddy program is modelled and supported by US based non-profit organisation ‘Students-Care’
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The program is in its first phase of rollout involving students from reputed colleges in the South of India. We involve students from streams of arts, science medical interns and students from Management Studies. The primary focus is to have passionate volunteers for the cause. Qualified student volunteers from the approved colleges will be selected based on psychometric tests and the screening process. 

At the next phase of the rollout, we will involve others willing to participate, provided you qualify the validation criteria.

Buddies are groomed to have empathy and show compassion to one another. The interaction with the seniors gives them an opportunity to learn from their life experiences. It will also help share a broader perspective on life and help dispel negative stereotypes.

Readiness, maturity, empathy, compassion, motivation and above all an interest to work with Seniors. Buddies are also required to maintain appropriate boundaries and have the ability to cope with challenging events. Buddies should also have excellent communication skills, be kind, considerate and fun to be with.

Buddies are expected to be good friends who are willing to listen, talk, share, lend a sympathetic ear and offer emotional support to their assigned seniors.  Buddies need to be observant in picking up cues to understand the senior’s feelings and offer help where required.

The Buddy is expected to have tact and respect for elders in their communication. They should maintain confidentiality at all times to protect the senior’s privacy and only disclose private information to the OurParents Help Desk to facilitate necessary aid when required. 
The Buddy should not seek or expect any favours (monetary or otherwise) from the senior. Similarly the extent of connection must be restricted to phone or video calls only. Home visits or personal meetings with the seniors are not allowed.

You will need to fill up our Interest Form first to sign up for the program. Once we receive your contact details we will be in touch with you for additional documents such as a copy of your Aadhaar card and PAN (permanent address). Based on these details, the OurParents.in office will qualify and revert back when a new batch is being inducted.
Volunteers are also requested to provide an approval letter from their college administration. After this, a one-to-one meeting with the panel members will be held before completing the final registration formalities.

All Buddies will be provided detailed handouts about the Buddy Program. 

There would be an induction program along with video tutorials conducted by the training team at StudentsCare. This will be followed by training on psychological first aid and some basic counselling sessions. Monthly training sessions will also be conducted to cover the modules and interface with Buddies to share feedback and to clarify doubts.

Yes, a certificate of participation is awarded on successful completion of the term. It will be awarded by StudentsCare, an US-based Non-Profit who are also our knowledge partners, involved in the training and monitoring activities of the Buddy Program.

A careful process of matching is carried out before finalising the schedule. A Buddy is allotted one or more seniors based on their interest and willingness to participate. Though we have an induction process for the seniors and the Buddy, it takes some sessions of interaction to develop a mutual understanding. We will be handholding through the process until the Buddy is and seniors are comfortable.

The Buddy is expected to engage for 3 hours a week or a minimum of one hour at least on a weekly basis.
Conversations can be centered during the weekends or through the week, suiting the convenience of the senior. However, it is expected that the Buddy maintains the time and schedule as discussed and agreed with the senior they have been assigned to. Buddies are not allowed to call at random hours or cancel a previously scheduled call without prior intimation with the senior.