What is the Community Buddy scheme?
This is a new annual opportunity for Young Community members who are 18 years old or over. Over your time at Arts Emergency you'll have several times to be buddied up with people across the Young Community.
Every relationship will be different, but we recommend monthly conversations or meet-ups. Buddies are given a Buddying Guide to support the relationship, and help to create boundaries. You must also attend an information session before being matched.
In June each year, the Community Buddy scheme opens for applications. The application gathers information about you and what you're looking for in a Community Buddy - this may include creative interests, stage of career, experience, geographic location, and demographic information.
The application closes at the end of June, and pairings are made by the end of July. Pairs are introduced via email, with contact information shared within the email. You are then responsible for connecting!
What do I have to do?
- Fill in the application below (open 4th June until 30th June)
- Attend one of these 1½ hour online information sessions:
- Weds 1st July, 6pm
- Fri 3rd July, 12:30pm
- Mon 6th July, 6pm
- Tues 7th July, 12:30pm
- Wait to be matched (by end of July)
- Chat with your buddy!
You do not need to tell us when you meet up, but you can get in touch with us if there are any issues at community@arts-emergency.org
We'll send you regular information about keeping safe and routes for getting in touch with any problems. We'd love to hear how it went in our annual Community Reflection.
Travel expenses are not covered for meet-ups between buddies, but buddies are encouraged to attend Community Socials together, which they can claim back travel expenses for.
If a match doesn’t work out, we do not create new buddies within the same year, but you are welcome to reapply next year.
Application form
Get a Community Buddy
Buddy Applications have now closed! We'll let you know when they're open again.