b'l e i s u r e b u d d i e sy o u t h b u d d i e sTara and LeanneTo the world you may be one person. But to one person you may be the world. [ Anonymous ]leisurebuddies is a friendship outreach project run by group outings and community activities. At a time when being St. Christophers Services in Co. Longford. It pairs people withsocial is keenly important, this teen group is a unique opportunityintellectualdisabilitiesunderSt.Christopherscarewithfor young people with intellectual disabilities to engage with theirvolunteers from the community who create support systems and peers and feel included in the community. It is clear from chattingfacilitate social opportunities. Leisure Buddies caters for adults with the teens that everyone, intellectually disabled or not, is who are matched with other adults with similar interests. They having a great time. Experts readily cite terms such as social meet once a month (or more) for social activities, one-on-one. inclusionandbenefitssuchasadvancementofsocialand The friends might attend concerts, have a cup of tea or go to a localcommunicationsskillswhenspeakingofinitiativessuch theater production. Some of the friendships have been sustained as Leisure Buddies/Youth Buddies. But those involved with thefor over a decade. Youth Buddies is a youth group that bringsprogram simply speak about the power of these friendships. together teens and young adults from local secondary schools foryouth buddies and leisure buddies have been funded by the ireland funds promising ireland campaign grant round in 2012 and 2013.connect2013 | 38'