A record breaking team volunteer session from Quilters
February 9, 2026
Over 30 Quilter volunteers packed 192 Buddy Bags in under 20 minutes to support to children entering emergency care.
Make a difference to a child in emergency care
Make a difference to a child in emergency care
100% of money donated goes to the cause
£25 supplies a child entering emergency accommodation with their own Buddy Bag or other essential items.
Recipient of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in June 2022 to recognise the outstanding work by all of our volunteers.
What's a Buddy Bag?
A Buddy Bag is a backpack that contains all the essential items a child needs.
They include toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear, in addition to comfort items such as a book and a teddy bear.
A Buddy Bag is something a child can call their own, no matter where they go.
Buddy Bags are tailored to suit babies, children and young people according to age groups and gender.
A bit about us
Why we started
The Buddy Bag Foundation was founded in 2015 to help make a difference to children entering emergency care.
48,000 children require emergency care every year in the UK. We supply these children entering emergency accommodation with their own Buddy Bag, or other essential items, to help restore a sense of comfort and love.
Why we're different
The foundation is run by a team of volunteers and ambassadors so that 100% of the money we raise goes to the cause.
Our Buddy Bag brigades provide a unique opportunity for volunteers to get hands-on and support the cause.
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
On 2nd June 2022, The Buddy Bag Foundation Volunteers received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE and its aim is to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities.
To all our valued volunteers, we would like to say THANK YOU for all your support by helping us make a difference to children in emergency care.
The Buddy Fund
Providing additional essential items beyond The Buddy Bags
The Buddy Fund supports families who need a little extra help when leaving the refuge and moving into their own accommodation creating a lasting legacy of care and comfort by supplying essential items for a child’s bedroom.
How you can get involved
Fundraise
All money raised will go straight to the cause. And we’re grateful for any contribution, from pennies to hundreds of pounds.
Volunteer
The BBF is run by volunteers. So no matter the time you can offer or the skills you have, we’d be grateful for your help.
Ways to donate
Contribute directly to a Buddy Bag through bulk product donations, our knitted toys initiative, or donate your time or services.
Attend a bag pack
Get hands-on with packing the Buddy Bags that go straight to the children in emergency care.
Resource centre
Here you will find everything you need whether you are fundraising, looking for Trustee report, a knitting pattern, an application form or an activity sheet.
Corporate sponsorship
We have lots of ways we can partner with businesses to help grow the BBF, whilst providing an opportunity to give back to a local cause.
Words from those impacted
"Thank you - you really make us feel like we matter."
"Words can't describe how I felt when I received my Buddy Bag."
"The work you do is amazing and I want to thank you for putting a smile on people's faces."
Our achievements so far
Buddy Bags packed
0
Our BBF volunteers
0
Buddy Bag Brigades
0
Request Buddy Bags for a refuge centre
We supply our Buddy Bags to refuges in the UK that deal with children who have been victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
Words from the children
What we've been talking about
Survivor charity calls for donations towards new housing fund
January 13, 2026
Buddy Fund launched to help UK families who have escaped domestic abuse to access vital supplies once they leave emergency accommodation.
Law firm raises £6,000 for Buddy Bag Foundation
November 4, 2025
Staff from Colmore Business District law firm, mfg Solicitors, in Birmingham donate £5,948 to the Buddy Bag Foundation.
Your chance to make a difference to a child in emergency care
Your donation provides essential items to children. 100% of your contribution goes directly to the cause.
