Make a difference for someone round the corner.
As a buddy you volunteer in the circle around someone in your neighbourhood. No qualifications, no fixed hours: just being there now and then.
Why become a buddy
An hour that really counts.
For many older people, a weekly visit is the difference between getting through the days and having something to look forward to.
You choose what and when
You see what’s open and only take on what suits you. You get a reminder beforehand.
Close to home
You help someone in your own neighbourhood. No long journeys, and a familiar face in the street.
You’re not on your own
You join a circle with family and other neighbours. You share it between you, and no one does everything.
Everyday things, real contact
A walk, a bit of shopping, a coffee together. No care tasks: that’s what professionals are for.
How to start
Four steps and you’re off.
- 1Download the app and choose I want to help when you start.
- 2Take a selfie. It becomes your profile photo, so a circle can see who’s coming.
- 3Fill in where you live and what you like doing. You’ll see circles near you right away.
- 4Join with an invitation or the circle code, or ask to join from the map and the circle manager lets you in. Then take on whatever suits you.
Safe for everyone
Trust starts with the app.
You’ll be visiting people at home. That’s why the safety rules are built into the app, for them and for you.
- You only appear on the map if you switch that on
- The circle manager decides who gets the code and who can join from the map
- You only see the exact address once you’re in the circle
- Something not right? You can report it anywhere in the app
Prefer to earn something? Become a stand-in.
Being a buddy is voluntary. Want to earn something? As a stand-in you set your own hourly rate and when you’re available. Open to anyone aged 18 or over.
Become a stand-inQuestions
What people often ask us.
Can’t see your question? Ask us in the app via Contact Hoopla.
Do I get paid as a buddy?
No, being a buddy is voluntary. You do it for the contact, and for someone in your own neighbourhood. Want to earn something? Take a look at Stand-ins.
Do I need training or experience?
No. You help with company and everyday things: a walk, a bit of shopping, a coffee together. Care tasks are for professionals. The app has short courses if you’d like them, in Dutch for now.
How do I decide when to help?
That’s entirely up to you. You see what’s open and only take on what suits you. You get a reminder beforehand.
Can I join more than one circle?
Yes. You’ll see circles near you right away and can ask to join. The circle manager looks at your request and lets you in. If you get a circle code, you join straight away.
Can I help outside my own circle?
Yes, if you switch it on: Open to other circles, in your profile. It’s off by default. Circle managers nearby can then see your first name, your photo, what you write about yourself, when you’re available and your town, and on their map your location to within about a kilometre. They can ask you, and you choose whether to say yes. Your profile photo is then visible to everyone with an account. If a circle near you is looking for a buddy, you’ll hear about it once a week at most. If you no longer want that, switch it off in your profile.
How does anyone know they can trust me?
A circle sees your first name and your selfie, and decides for itself whether you join. We don’t check your identity. Anyone can report unwanted behaviour, and the Hoopla team looks at every report.
Start your circle today.
Download the app, start a circle for your loved one and invite your first people. In a few minutes, the first appointment can be on the schedule.