Buddy Program

In the first few months after a stroke, survivors go through the process of understanding and accepting a life changing event, often leading to questions about what they are experiencing. To help new stroke survivors navigate this process, Circle of Rights is rolling out the new CoR Buddy Program!

The CoR Buddy Program pairs new stroke survivors with experienced Circle of Rights members who can offer encouragement, orientation, and peer connection during the early stages of the survivor’s journey.

Buddies do not and cannot provide clinical advice or crisis support; instead, they focus on sharing lived-experiences and offering emotional support.

Serving as a buddy is voluntary and flexible. The goal is to help a new survivor feel less alone as they enter a new stage of recovery. A buddy offers peer support through lived experience, not advice or directives. 

Buddies will:

• Embody compassion, patience, non-judgment, respect for differences in recovery paths, consistent low-pressure support, confidentiality.
• Share personal insights when helpful, focusing on their personal experience rather than giving instructions.
• Discuss common challenges new survivors face, like fatigue, cognitive overload, frustration, pacing, emotional adjustment, etc.
• Encourage new survivors to attend Circle of Rights support group meetings without pressuring participation.
• Guide new survivors in understanding and using Slack.

Need a Companion for Your Recovery Journey?

If you are a new stroke survivor and would like to be paired with an experienced member who can offer encouragement and help you navigate the early stages of recovery, please fill out the Register for Stroke Support Services form to request a buddy.

Existing Members: Sign Up to Volunteer as a Buddy

If you are an experienced member and would like to provide support to a new survivor, please go to the Buddy Program Enrollment page to learn more and sign up.