With the generous support of a Seed Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Epilepsy South Central Ontario is proud to introduce EPI Buddy, a community-focused program created to empower people living with epilepsy through meaningful connection, companionship, and support.

EPI Buddy is designed to promote inclusion, community engagement, confidence, and independence for individuals living with epilepsy throughout Peel Region. The program connects participants with compassionate volunteer mentors known as “EPI Buddies” to build supportive one-on-one relationships rooted in trust, encouragement, shared interests, and friendship.

Through regular visits and personalized activities, participants are encouraged to become more involved in their communities while maintaining independence and choice. Activities are guided by each individual’s interests, comfort level, and goals and may include walking, visiting cafés, attending community events, running errands, exploring hobbies, participating in recreational activities, or simply spending time together. Every match is unique and centered around what matters most to the individual.

Many EPI Buddy matches grow into meaningful long-term friendships. To help foster strong and lasting connections, participants and volunteers are carefully matched based on personality, age, gender, shared interests, and travel distance, with volunteers ideally located close to a participant’s home, school, or workplace.

Visits typically take place once or twice per month, for one to two hours, at a mutually convenient and comfortable location for both participants and volunteers. Matches are intended to continue for a minimum of six months to allow meaningful relationships to develop, with many continuing far beyond this timeframe and growing into long-term friendships.

Why Volunteer as an EPI Buddy?

Volunteering as an EPI Buddy is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the life of someone living with epilepsy while building a genuine one-on-one connection and helping reduce social isolation within the community. This role goes beyond volunteering — it is about companionship, inclusion, encouragement, and helping someone feel more supported and connected in everyday life.

Volunteers gain valuable experience in community support, disability inclusion, mentorship, and person-centred engagement while developing communication skills, empathy, leadership, and confidence. This opportunity can be especially valuable for individuals interested in healthcare, education, social services, or community work.

Volunteers also receive ongoing training and dedicated support throughout their time in the program, along with reimbursement for their Vulnerable Sector Check and Standard First Aid & CPR C with AED certification after six months of participation.

We are currently looking for both individuals living with epilepsy and volunteer mentors who live, work, or attend school in Peel Region.

For more information, please contact:
epi-buddy@epilepsysco.org