New Edinburgh mum tackles parental loneliness with buggy walk matchmaking service

Parental loneliness was at an all time in 2020 with research by the Royal Foundation finding that an all-time high of 63 per cent of parents experienced feelings of being alone last year.

Sophie Oxley, who set up Buggy Buds after experiencing parental loneliness after giving birth to her son Arlo

As a new lockdown parent, Sophie Oxley identified herself as part of that number, and wanted to do something to help address the gruelling statistic.

Originally from New Zealand and now living in Edinburgh, Sophie grew the idea of Buggy Buds - a matchmaking service for parents wanting to meet other parents and build their support network.

With maternity services restricted across the UK for much of 2020, to-be-parents who normally would have met others in places such as antenatal classes were unable to do so due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking about starting up Buggy Buds less than two months ago, Sophie said: "Since my son was born, buggy walks have been a lifeline for me, especially with the varying degrees of lockdowns we've all had to endure.

“I built a community around me by taking a leap of faith and posting a call for walking buddies on a Facebook page. But not everyone wants to put themselves out there in that way - which I completely understand! So I set up Buggy Buds to make the process of meeting new people easier and more accessible. There's now a real ‘same boat’ mentality among our members."

Currently operating in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow, Buggy Buds connects like-minded parents for one to one buggy walks.

After filling in a short questionnaire, members are sent the profiles of three like-minded parents, with whom they can organise a walk.

As the current COVID-19 restrictions allow two adults from two households to meet outdoors to exercise, for many parents Buggy Buds offers a safe way to socialise and get the support they need in an informal setting.

“We are a bit like a dating agency in a funny sort of way, but the process isn’t algorithmic at all, it’s very human. We read every profile and call every applicant to ask them if they have any questions. We also just think it’s nice to check in on how they’re doing.” Sophie added. “We make an effort to get to know our members and it’s amazing how often we will receive a profile and say - hey, I know someone in the same position, or with similar interests.”

In Edinburgh alone, Buggy Buds has over 50 members and has made over 120 introductions between members.

On January 1 this year Buggy Buds also launched chapters in Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Members pay a £10 membership fee, which is reinvested in supporting the Buggy Buds mission: to help parents make friends and build communities. Buggy Buds is also accepting donations to help manage running costs.

Sophie said: “In 2020, parental loneliness became an epidemic in itself. The statistics are devastating. Parenthood is hard enough as it is and Covid-19 has added a great amount of stress to the equation, particularly for newbies.

“Parents feel isolated and unsupported at the moment. So we want to get as many parents walking and talking as we can, especially during lockdown where a simple 'how are you?' can make all the difference.”

Those interested in joining can do so on the Buggy Buds website.

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