What is a Buddy?
The Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MSN CYPC) Youth Advisory Forum has recognised the need for a 1-2-1 Buddy Support Network, where there is a structured way to access support from other young people with cancer. The Buddy Support Network provides a supported environment where this can happen. Being a Buddy is an exciting opportunity to share your first-hand experience of what it’s like being diagnosed with cancer, and to listen and offer practical support to another young person who is newly diagnosed.
The MSN CYPC would like to formally acknowledge Murray Stewart, a member of the Youth Advisory Forum who died in 2019. Murray was the driving force behind the creation of the Buddy Support Network. With the support from Murrays family;
“While undergoing treatment, Murray was introduced to a young person who was in remission. Murray quickly appreciated and was comforted by the understanding and support offered. Thereafter Murray went out of his way to reach out to other young people affected by cancer and in turn, offered his friendship and support.
Murray was a committed member of the MSN CYPC Youth Advisory Forum but, above all else, he cared about other young people dealing with cancer. He came up with the idea of the Buddy Support Network and would be so proud and delighted with the assistance that it brings.”
What does being a Buddy involve?
- Listening
- Sharing your experiences
- Answering practical questions
- Give useful hints/tips
What would I gain from being a Buddy?
- Sense of achievement and fulfilment
- Volunteer Certificate to add to your CV
- Personal development/inter personal skills
- Share experience and learn from others
What is not expected of the Buddy?
- To give medical advice
- Provide mental health support
Who would I provide peer support to?
- A young person who had been diagnosed with cancer within the last year
- The young person will be between 16 to 26 years of age
- You will provide support for a period of up to 4 months
- You will only be asked to support one young person at a time
- At the end 4 months, there may be the option of providing support to another young person if you opted to do this
How can I become a Buddy?
- you have had a cancer diagnosis
- you are 16 – to 26years of age
- you are at least six months post treatment
- you can provide a supporting statement from a member of your clinical team
- you attend MSN CYPC buddy half-day training programme
- you agree to have Disclosure Scotland check carried out
Will I receive training to become a Buddy?
Yes!
To help prepare you for the important role of being a Buddy a free half day training will be provided. This will cover:
- Role of the Buddy
- What is expected of both young people
- Safeguarding
- Managing self & boundaries
- Mental Health Awareness
- Scenario based training
Will I have support while I am a Buddy?
Yes!
Both you and the young person you are buddying will have an allocated support person who is a member of your clinical team. This could be a Teenage & Young Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Youth Support Coordinator or Young Lives v Cancer Social Worker. There will be regular points of contact with the support person as well as being able to ask for advice at any time. You will be given the support person’s contact details at the start.
How can I find out more about becoming a Buddy?
The Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Nurse Specialist, Young Lives v Cancer Social Worker or Youth Support Coordinator will be able to give you more information about how to apply to become a Buddy.
Anything else I need to know?
You can opt out of being a Buddy at any point. To help promote a positive relationship between the Buddy and the young person being buddied, there will be some boundaries established at the start.
Click on the QR code to find out about the Buddy expectations
