Club that offers a helping hand and lots of fun... after all, that’s what Buddies are for!

THE heart of a community can come in all shapes and sizes.

In the north west of Glasgow, it looks a lot like Buddies Clubs and Services.

The parents who set it up more than 20 years ago, had no idea their Sunday get-together for families with disabled children would grow to become an invaluable resource for the whole community.

“In those days, parents of disabled children existed on our own – there was nothing out there to bring us together, so we didn’t communicate with each other,” says Dorothy Barton, former chairperson of the board.

“Buddies gives me sanity, peace of mind. You know, when your children are with them, that they are safe.”

The Evening Times Streets Ahead campaign, with the support of our generous partners Glasgow City Council, City Charitable Trust and City Building, showcases the community groups and individuals making a real difference to the lives of those around them.

The Buddies story began in October 1994, when Jane Hook, whose daughter has autism, brought together a few likeminded parents in the local church hall.

It was a place for disabled children, many of whom had nowhere to go outside home and school, to grow and learn at their own pace.

Very quickly, the club became too big for the church hall, so they moved to larger premises and started an afterschool club three days a week.

Now it’s based in Netherton Community Centre (although temporarily in Southbrae to allow for refurbishment) and includes a five-day after school club, holiday playschemes and a nursery catering for 55 children. The ‘youth club’ is on the verge of being renamed because none of its members wants to leave.

Service manager Julie Cowan, who joined Buddies 14 years ago, explains with a laugh: “Our oldest member is 34! We keep having to change the upper age limit.

“We have around 160 families using Buddies in one way or another – that’s a big chunk of our community. We have 33 staff and several volunteers, working across the nursery, child development and organising services for people affected by a range of disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties.”

Dorothy Barton first took her son Neil and daughter Katy along to Buddies when they were young children. Katy is now 32, Neil is 34 – and both still love Buddies.

“That shows you what kind of impact the place has had on us all, and we have Jane Hook to thank for it all,” says Dorothy. “Both Neil and Katy have autism and need a lot of support. “Buddies gives me respite.” Dorothy and Julie both believe the Anniesland and surrounding community is all the richer for having Buddies at its heart.

“We give young people with disabilities an opportunity to be part of their own community,” says Julie.

“Families can get a break, because Buddies can help take the pressure off. Young people can have a say in what happens to them. We are a big family really.”

Dorothy agrees: “Buddies is a community lynchpin. As a parent of a child with a disability, sometimes you have the strength to fight. Other times, you need all your strength to just keep going. Buddies helps you to keep going.”

Buddies’ fantastic fundraisers Charlene McAlinn and Danielle Fraser have organised a community event on November 10, complete with raffles, a disco and buffet, in Goodyear Social Club in Drumchapel – for more information on how to support the event visit www. buddiesglasgow.org.uk