Friendship starts
with a connection.
EPI Buddy brings people living with epilepsy and volunteer mentors together for shared activities, encouragement, and everyday companionship.
Small moments.
Meaningful connections.
A walk, a coffee, a shared hobby, or a good conversation. EPI Buddy creates opportunities to enjoy community life with someone by your side.
Your interests guide the experience.
Activities are shaped by the participant’s interests, goals, and comfort level. Participants choose how they want to spend their time, with their buddy offering companionship and encouragement.
A thoughtful match.
Time to build a friendship.
A connection that fits.
Participants and volunteers are carefully matched based on shared interests, personality, location, and preferences, including age and gender.
Meet somewhere comfortable.
Visits happen at a mutually agreed-upon time and place. Wherever possible, buddies are matched close to a participant’s home, school, or workplace.
Let the friendship grow.
A minimum six-month commitment gives each connection time to develop. Many matches continue beyond this period and grow into lasting friendships.
Find your place in EPI Buddy.
We welcome people living with epilepsy and volunteer mentors who live, work, or attend school in Peel Region.
Become a participant.
Build a one-to-one connection with a caring volunteer buddy and enjoy activities that matter to you.
- Share interests and try activities together
- Enjoy companionship and encouragement
- Take part at your own comfort level
Become an EPI Buddy.
Offer your time, encouragement, and companionship while helping someone feel more connected to their community.
- Build a meaningful one-to-one relationship
- Support participation and independence
- Develop communication and mentorship skills
Your time matters.
You’ll have support along the way.
Training & ongoing guidance
Volunteers receive ongoing training and dedicated program support. You can gain experience in mentorship, disability inclusion, and community support while strengthening communication and leadership skills.
Reimbursement after six months
After six months of participation, volunteers receive reimbursement for their Vulnerable Sector Check and Standard First Aid & CPR C with AED certification.
Let’s make a connection.
For participation and volunteer inquiries, email the EPI Buddy team.
EPI Buddy is a program of Epilepsy South Central Ontario, made possible through a Seed Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
