REAL-LIFE BUDDY SCHEME
Having Someone You Can Rely On Is Priceless
Having Someone You Can Rely On Is Priceless
Living with OOKP (Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis), whether before surgery, during recovery, or long-term, can be challenging. Although friends and family are important and often necessary, many members find, connecting with someone who has "walked the same path," brings a unique kind of acceptance, encouragement, and companionship, leading to greater understanding, confidence and achievement.
Our Real Life Buddy Scheme is a unique peer support service, which matches you with an experienced buddy, someone who has lived through the OOKP journey and is ready to support you with bespoke assistance, empathy, and companionship.
A buddy scheme pairs individuals, so they can offer each other mutual support, connection, and encouragement. In many peer support settings, this kind of service helps people feel less isolated, builds confidence, and they learn from others who've shared similar experiences.
Such schemes are widely used in universities and communities, to help people settle in, connect socially, and receive friendly, practical support from someone who understands what they’re going through.
In our Real Life Buddy Scheme:
Each buddy pair consists of someone with lived experience of OOKP (the buddy) and a member who wants support (you).
Buddies are volunteers trained in listening and peer support.
This is one-to-one support, distinct from counselling and clinical advice. It’s about shared experience and connection.
We match you with a buddy based on:
Your preferences (communication style, hobbies, interests, background)
Whether you require someone who’s recently had surgery or further along the journey
This helps make the connection more meaningful and supportive.
Buddies and participants are encouraged to:
Meet or talk regularly (in person, phone, or video call)
Check in at times that suit them both
Share practical tips and emotional support
Meeting frequency and format are flexible. What matters most, is that it feels helpful to you.
Your buddy won’t replace clinical care, but they can help you with:
✔ Understanding what living with OOKP is really like.
✔ Talking about emotional questions and concerns
✔ Sharing practical tips for daily life before and after surgery
✔ Offering reassurance and confidence building
✔ Helping you feel less alone through regular connection
This kind of peer support has been shown to increase confidence, improve social connection, and reduce feelings of isolation, especially when dealing with major life changes or long journey transitions.
Our Real Life Buddy Scheme is available to:
OOKP patients and those considering the procedure
Family members and carers who want support and understanding
People looking for connection with someone who has lived experience
Volunteers who become buddies are:
people who have lived experience with OOKP
trained in peer support principles
committed to empathy and confidentiality
It's essential participants understand, your buddy is not a clinical professional or therapist. They offer peer support — lived experience, listening, understanding, and encouragement — not medical advice or counselling.
If you require medical or health-related answers, you should always speak with your clinical team.
📧 Email: ourookpservice@gmail.com
Subject Line: Peer Buddy
Please include:
Your name
Whether you want a buddy for before surgery, after surgery, or both
Your preferred contact method (phone, video call, in-person)
Any preferences for your buddy match (optional)
Complete and include the questionnaire below, with your email
We’ll send you a brief questionnaire to help us tailor your match. This includes things like:
preferred communication style
interests and common topics
timing and availability
This ensures every match feels comfortable and supportive.
Once matched, we’ll introduce you to your buddy and help arrange your first chat — at a time that works for both of you.
Please be assured, all matches are treated with respect, empathy, and privacy. Your information will only be used to make your buddy match and support your connection.
Our aim is for every person affected by OOKP, to feel supported — not just medically, but socially and emotionally.
Our buddy scheme is a way of:
Building communities
Reducing isolation
Sharing lived experiences
Creating meaningful connections
We believe, no one should go through this alone. With peer-to-peer support, you can build confidence, share experiences, and feel genuinely understood.
Come join us. Let’s walk this journey together.
Please complete this form and include it with your email; either as an attachment, or pasted into the body of the email; so we can organise your buddy match as smoothly and effectively as possible.
Full Name:
Preferred Email:
Phone Number (optional):
(tick one or more)
☐ Phone calls
☐ Video calls (e.g., WhatsApp, Zoom)
☐ In-person meetings (if available in your area)
☐ Messaging / online chat
☐ Before surgery
☐ After surgery – currently recovering
☐ Long-term post-surgery
☐ Family member or carer
(Please tick up to three)
☐ Emotional support and understanding
☐ Practical advice from lived experience
☐ Shared conversation about OOKP experiences
☐ Help building confidence and independence
☐ Friendship and connection
☐ Other (please explain):
(This helps us pair you with someone you’re likely to feel comfortable with)
Examples might include:
Someone with similar surgery timeline
Similar age group
Similar interests
Communication style preference
Language preference
Your preferences:
(e.g., weekday afternoons, evenings, weekends)
Availability:
(Optional — any information that will help us make a good match)
We’ll review your answers and contact you about your buddy match soon.
These questions help us understand your support preferences and goals, so we can pair you with someone who’s a good fit — whether that’s based on communication style, experience stage, or personal preference. Effective matching in peer support is known to increase confidence, reduce isolation, and build meaningful connections.