Bags of Comfort for Plymouth Children Going into Care
Plymouth children who must go into the care of the local authority will be given a ‘My Journey’ bag full of items to make the experience easier thanks to The Buddy Bag Foundation.
When and where did The Buddy Bag idea come from?
During a visit to Australia in 2014 our founder, Karen Williams OBE, was inspired by an article about The A & M Foundation which has delivered more than 100,000 Buddy Bags to children in emergency care in Australia since 2007.
On returning to the UK, Karen researched the facilities available to children in emergency care and discovered a huge need for Buddy Bags in the UK.
To ensure as many children as possible can benefit from the Buddy Bag scheme, Karen set up The Buddy Bag Foundation and launched the Buddy Bag appeal in the UK, with the help and support of The A & M Foundation.
We are committed to 100% of the monies raised going into the supply of Buddy Bags.
The Buddy Bag Foundation was created in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home.
Restoring a sense of safety and security into a child’s life during a traumatic time is one of the first steps to recovery. By providing these children with a few essential items, our mission is to help make the transition into emergency care a little easier.
To support children in this situation we have created the Buddy Bag to provide comfort when all else has been removed.
Why we exist
What we offer
How we operate
January 12, 2014
Karen Williams read an article about Allanah and Madeline Foundation on a flight to visit her son, George, in Australia. The Buddy Bag Foundation idea was sown.
May 1, 2015
The very first Buddy Bag Pack takes place at St Peter’s Community Centre in Tamworth.
December 1, 2015
The Buddy Bag Foundation registers as a charity.
December 15, 2015
The Buddy Bag Foundation was featured on BBC Midlands Today celebrating 1,000 Buddy Bags packed.
March 1, 2016
The Buddy Bag Foundation Girl Guiding Badge is Designed and over £5,500 raised.
October 1, 2016
The Buddy Bag’s 5,000th Buddy Bag is packed.
March 1, 2017
Karen Williams and The Buddy Bag Foundation are awarded The Points of Light Award by the Prime Minister.
August 1, 2017
The Buddy Bag Foundation bookmark was launched.
September 1, 2017
The Buddy Bag Foundation packs its 10,000th bag and holds its very first Buddy Bag Foundation Awards.
July 1, 2018
The Buddy Bag Foundation launches the affirmation cards for mom’s to be included in the Buddy Bags.
September 1, 2018
The Buddy Bag Foundation confirms its 15,000th Buddy Bag is packed.
October 15, 2018
Karen Williams is crowned TV’s Lorraine Kelly’s Inspirational Woman of the Year Finalist.
November 9, 2018
The Buddy Bag Foundation holds its first Charity Ball with hosts Moor Hall in Sutton Coldfield.
November 19, 2018
Dr Hilary Jones becomes an Official Patron of the Buddy Bag Foundation.
April 6, 2019
The Buddy Bag Foundation holds its 100th Buddy Bag Pack.
June 9, 2019
The Buddy Bag Foundation smashes its founding goal of packing 20,200 Buddy Bags by 2020.
Nov 6, 2020
Despite the restrictions of COVID-19, The Buddy Bag Foundation delivers 800 craft boxes to children in women’s refuges around the UK.
Nov 10, 2020
The Buddy Bag Foundation Challenge Box is launched to continue providing Buddy Bags despite lockdown.
Dec 17, 2020
The Buddy Bag Foundation reaches a grand total of 30,000 Buddy Bags packed. An incredible achievement reached on our 5th Anniversary.
Jan 1, 2021
Karen Williams, Founder and CEO of The Buddy Bag Foundation, was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen for her services to domestic violence.
1 June 2020
The Buddy Bag Foundation HQ moves into new premises in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield kindly sponsored by The Howell Group.
1 July 2021
BBF has engaged with over 3,380 volunteers who have donated their time to pack Buddy Bags, provide admin support and services or who have knitted toys or crafted toiletry bags and pencil cases.
2 October 2021
BBF held its 200th Buddy Bag Brigade packing bags of love making a difference to children in emergency care in the UK.
8 December 2021
BBF packed the 40,000th Buddy Bag a huge milestone making a difference to 40,000 children.
9 February 2022
Karen Williams receives her OBE for services to victims of domestic violence from HRH Princess Royal at Windsor Castle.
2 June 2022
BBF Volunteers received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
17 September 2022
Coming together for our awards this September was a special occasion to be proud of receiving the QAVS award and to pay our respects and thanks to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Thank you to all of our volunteers for making a difference.
30 October 2022
The Buddy Bag Foundation received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest possible honour bestowed on local charities, equivalent to an MBE, at a presentation ceremony at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
24 November 2022
The Buddy Bag Foundation launches their #Iamloved pyjamas in age 3-5 and 6-8. For every pair of pyjamas purchased , a pair will be gifted to a child in need.
28 February 2023
With the help of 4440 volunteers The Buddy Bag Foundation has packed a total of 51,168 buddy bags across 273 buddy bag brigades.
22 April 2024
Buddy Bag Foundation has been awarded the ‘Non Profit Business’ category award at the BizX 2024 awards! This recognition is a testament to the incredible work and unwavering support of our amazing supporters and volunteers.
23 April 2024
On this day, BBF celebrated a monumental milestone: packing our 60,000th Buddy Bag for children who’ve fled domestic abuse. With the help of nearly 5,000 volunteers we thank everyone who has supported us on our mission to bring comfort and hope to those who need it most.
23 April 2024
Karen Williams OBE, Co-Founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation, attended a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate St George’s Day and represent the remarkable work of the Buddy Bag Foundation.
"Thank you - you really make us feel like we matter."
- Parent
"Words can't describe how I felt when I received my Buddy Bag."
- Buddy Bag recipient
"The work you do is amazing and I want to thank you for putting a smile on people's faces."
- Refuge Worker
Plymouth children who must go into the care of the local authority will be given a ‘My Journey’ bag full of items to make the experience easier thanks to The Buddy Bag Foundation.
The first pilot of the Buddy Bag Foundation Knit and Natter Group at the Amazon depot in Doncaster is a huge success.
Amazon has provided nearly £50,000 worth of donations to The Buddy Bag Foundation to help child victims of domestic violence.
Follow the latest on social media
£25 supplies a child entering emergency accommodation with their own Buddy Bag. 100% of money donated goes to the cause.
Head Office, all correspondence and knitted toys to: The Buddy Bag Foundation, c/o Howell Group Ltd, Unit 28, Maybrook Road, Maybrook Business Park, Minworth B76 1AL
If you want to donate to us directly, you can pay online or via any Post Office or Lloyds Bank branch to:
Sort code 30-64-10 – Account number: 34186868 – Account name: Buddy Bag Foundation – Reference: Your name