Nice to meet you, James here… I’m an ENFJ A Personality Type! 

Feel free to check out the Buddies Blueprint to understand more on the way we use matching ♦

Hi, I’m James — one of the Buddies team. the manager and owner.

We’re a small, slow growth team, and we like it that way. I take care of most of the behind-the-scenes work — paperwork, office bits — but what I really love is getting out there to support people directly. A big part of my role is helping to figure out what works best for each person we support, and making sure things get off to the right start, every person we engage becomes a partner, or a part of the family.  

We want to keep Buddies small and to grow slowly alongside the people we work with. That way, we can make sure we’re doing things properly and personally for every individual. We never want it to feel like a big, faceless service — it’s all about building relationships and getting things right from the beginning.

A bit about me… Before starting Buddies, I was already working in similar roles. I’d been a lead RMN supporting  young people move from child to adult services, who were otherwise having a difficult time of it on complex community care packages- I was made a consultant with that same purpose following that.

I have a Level 6 Qualification in Leadership and Management as well as Level 6 Dementia Management.

I’m a mental health nurse (RMN) with around 20 years’ experience across a wide range of settings, I first applied at 18 — from care homes (The Royal Star and Garter) and secure environments (Broadmoor), to community work with the Epilepsy Society and as an RMN on their diagnostic unit. Most recently, I’ve been supporting young people with complex needs in the community, things like complex social needs, people that have had issues with the police – PDA, OCD, ADHD, Autism, creating teams, and getting them back on track successfully. It was that experience — seeing young people struggling as they moved into adult services — that inspired me to start Buddies initially,

It was during this work that I realised that alongside professional expertise, many people simply needed someone consistent in their corner. Looking back, my role had become part nurse, part advocate, part mentor — and often, simply a buddy. The difference that relationship made was remarkable, and it became the inspiration for Buddies.

Of course, it applies equally across all ages and people we look after, that was the starting point for our services ethos. 

Over the years, I’ve worked with a diverse range of people — from older adults, including people living with dementia from decorated WW2 heroes, to High profile serial killers to Libyan soldiers and everyone inbetween. Most recently young people navigating complex social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. I’ve worked alongside families, nurses, social workers, advocates, neurologists, psychologists, therapists, and professionals from across the health and social care sector.

One thing everyone seems to agree on is the importance of genuine, trusting relationships. I’ve always believed that consistency, authenticity, listening, and valuing people’s individuality are what make the biggest difference — whether you’re supporting someone as a professional, an advocate, or simply as a buddy.

I try to bring my own style to the role: approachable, kind-hearted, and equipped with what is probably a slightly dry sense of humour. I do my best to help people find their way through whatever challenges life has placed in front of them. It’s something that comes naturally to me, and it’s what has kept me passionate about this work for nearly twenty years.

Like most of us, I’ve had my own challenges and experiences, which probably help me to connect with others — especially young people who are dealing with stigma or finding their place in the world.

Outside of work, I love motorbikes, painting, drawing, reading, and studying anything creative. My older brother teaches piano and guitar, my younger brother carves wood and ice — and I’m the middle child (but don’t believe everything you hear). Both my Mum and Dad became RMNs in their mid-life – and so I had a good amount of insight into the job and people to look up to as a young person – my Mum won the trust-wide ‘Hidden Gem’ award in her role as CPN -nominated by her patients (thats the highest accolade in my opinion ♦). 

I’ve got family roots in Bridgend in Wales, so you might catch me singing now and then, and also East London – I was born and raised in West London. A fun bit of family history — my Grandma Pay used to say we’re descended from Old Harry Paye (born Henry Pay), a pirate from Poole. Whether that’s true or not is another question, I have renovated my own boat… so who knows, maybe there’s something in it!

Anyway, that’s a little about me. If you’ve read this far — thank you. Maybe we’ll get the chance to meet sometime.

♦

Best for now,
James