Our volunteer vault is back.
As a reminder, to mark the final Monday of each month we hand over the newsletter to one of our existing volunteers. Today we hear from Emma (below left), who tells us more about her catch ups with Sarah (below right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
I think it will be coming up to four years.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
Not my first, I have volunteered for Endometriosis Australia and Beyond Blue. Gig Buddies has by far been my fav.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I was lucky enough to be able to do my uni placement with Gig Buddies and really enjoyed my time and wanted to continue the process. After this I was lucky enough to be paired up with my gig buddy Sarah!
The reason I was wanting to continue on is because I just love what Gig Buddies represents, breaking down barriers for those who are not always included.
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
This is honestly the best volunteer experience you could have! What’s not to like about fun events and enjoying someone else’s company, hanging out and meeting other people within the program?
Everyone is so lovely and the things you can do and achieve are endless.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
A big highlight for me was being involved in the Mardi Gras parade a few years back. I think many people will tell you this involvement was hard to beat.
I also feel like everyday being apart of Gig Buddies is a highlight and there really are just too many highlights for me to list!
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Give it a go - what do you have to lose? This program is really beneficial, improving social inclusion and you’ll have a really good time doing it!
I highly recommend it to anyone and I tell everyone about it too.
"the things you can do and achieve are endless"
Thank you Sarah for sharing your Gig Buddies story. From the project’s point of view, we’re delighted that you stuck with us after completing your uni assignment.
We’re also thrilled with how Emma and Sarah have gone from strength to strength. They’re a perfect example of what we’re all about: two mates catching up and having a good time together.
And we’re always on the lookout for more people like Emma. If you would like to volunteer with us, look no further: to sign up with our Sydney project click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
And to find out more about our current openings, click on the 'volunteers wanted' images below.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current roles on the Central Coast and the graphic below for opportunities in Sydney.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Land ahoy!
Ticket sales to our tenth birthday are soaring!
For those not in the loop, on Saturday 31 May we’re celebrating at the spectacular Australian National Maritime Museum.
We’ll be partying from 6 - 9pm and on the night partygoers can expect our usual tidings: plentiful food, live music and door giveaways.
And we're also providing the perfect backdrop to our birthday extravaganza: courtesy of our party vantage point, attendees will be able to soak up the sights and sounds of Vivid Festival.
Whether you’re based in Sydney or on the Central Coast, we invite you dust off those dancing shoes and join us.
Tickets to our 10th cost $49 and can be purchased here.
Win, win, win
Would you like to win a DOUBLE PASS to our 10th birthday?
We’re offering our existing bunch of buddies (buddies and volunteers) the chance to win free entry to our party.
Simply refer a volunteer and you’ll go in the hat to win two tickets.
The new volunteer must submit a completed application via this weblink (https://www.gigbuddiessydney.org/volunteers) for the referrer to go into the hat.
We have one double pass to give away. The more referrals, the more times your name will go in the hat!
New to the party
In other social-related news, we’ve made a change to our April Central Coast catch up.
Following feedback, we’ll now be catching up in Tuggerah on Friday 11 April for arcades and Maccas.
We’ll be stopping by iPlay for a night of arcade fun. Following our blast of bright lights, loud noises and novelty prizes, we’ll head to McDonald’s for a Friday night feast!
To join us (or to find out more), load up the link below:
Please note, our intended gathering at The Entrance has been cancelled.
And the rest….?
As for the rest of April, you’ll also find us in Campbeltown, Hornsby, Brookvale and Liverpool as we catch up for trivia, bites to eat and axe throwing.
So far four events have sold out, while we’re down to the final few tickets for our five remaining gatherings. To join us next month, load up the links above.
More in May
As for the month of May, we’re inviting foodies, movie goers, beer aficionados, NRL fans’, music lovers and appreciators of the quirky to join us at any of our five gatherings.
We’ll be connecting with buddies in Parramatta, Eastgardens, Rouse Hill, Mosman and Gosford. To attend any of our May gatherings (or to find out more information about each), jump on the links above.
And if you have questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
The month that was….
It’s the final day of March, a month that saw us host a grand total of TEN social gatherings.
We want to say thank you to everyone who joined us in North Sydney, Penrith, Brookvale, Gymea, Moore Park, Newtown, Warnervale, Manly, Parramatta and Chatswood.
To see more of 'what went down' when we caught up for lawn bowls, lunches, dancing, virtual golf, crazy shakes, stand-up comedy, surfing, dinners and Camp Rock the Musical click here, or press play on the clip above.
Each and every month we invite buddies to connect with us for our online chats.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
Surf's up
Last Wednesday (26/3) a group of gig buddies headed to Manly Beach for a surf lesson, organised by our friends Ocean Heroes.
A wonderful time was had by all. Of the six buddies who took to the water, Jack had the following to say: "Surfing has always been an experience I’ve struggled with and some of those fears were present on Wednesday afternoon.
But those fears were quickly quelled by the legends at Ocean Heroes, who showed not only great encouragement but also great patience - and as a result I was finally able to stand up on a surfboard."
From our point of view, we want to thank the legends at Ocean Heroes. For anyone wanting to give surfing a go, we highly recommend their services. For more information about who they are and what they offer, load up the following link.
And to see more photos from Wednesday’s gathering in Manly, click here.
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise?
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via text Facebook Messenger.
"I’d say you should go...."
Each and every month we share the news and views from those who make up our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies.
For the month of March we hand the mic to Alex, who opens up about his involvement with the project.
"Greetings…this is Soul Fly Buddies member Alex here again, with an update to one of my previous segments about ‘keep trying/not giving up’, all around the issue of going to a gig alone. It might be out of your comfort zone, but at least give it a try…
This time round I’d like to talk about something similar as well as personally significant (given how I’ve been with the Gig Buddies project almost as long as it started ten years ago): as stated last year, I’ve had my fair share of great volunteers, who I’ve been to great gigs with. But there have been times, in between volunteers where although I would have preferred to have someone to go with, I had to go alone. I have attended more than 20 events alone (or ‘unbuddied’), and it’s increased my confidence.
Compared to going to an event (such as a live music/sports event) where you know that you’re going without someone, this event that you’re going to is a Gig Buddies social, so you have the sense that you will be surrounded by at least someone you know, (even if it’s just the Gig Buddies’ staff who are facilitating the event).
There could also be other buddies/volunteers, (who might/might not be in a similar situation to you), so you feel a bit more confident in attending (although this is just my opinion).
Whether you’re still waiting, paired, or your buddy/volunteer is unable to make it, and there is ever a situation where there’s the fear of missing a Gig Buddies event that’s of interest, I’d say you should go! That way you’re still being involved within the project, and it’s also a great excuse to increase your social skills, gain other helpful experiences, as well as skills along the way.
If you already are doing this then I encourage it.
And if you are going alone and you’re feeling lost or out of place, just remember you can always at least try to ask someone at the Gig Buddies social for help, or maybe ask if it’s ok to talk about how you’re feeling.
Thank you for reading,"
- Alex, Soul Fly Buddies
Team LGBTQIA+
We’ve made a late change to tomorrow’s LGBTQIA+ user-led meeting.
As a reminder, following our recent social gathering at Fair Day - our first LGBTQIA+ and allies social event - we’re hosting a Zoom to start work on establishing Gig Buddies’ very own LGBTQIA+ user-led team.
The Zoom will now take place between 5 - 5:30pm.
The meeting will be more of a ‘get to know each other’ session. We’ll also be finding out what attendees would like to get out of being part of the group - and how Gig Buddies can best support to facilitate.
Get ready to share your thoughts, suggestions and ideas!
To join us, register via the following link.
Preventive health care - survey
And finally, the team from National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health have been in touch.
They’re conducting research aimed at improving preventive health care for people with intellectual disability.
In their own words: "This is important because people with intellectual disability face systemic neglect in our health care system and find it hard to access preventive health care.
We want to ask people with intellectual disability, their support networks and health professionals about their experiences with health action planning. Health action planning is when people make plans with their healthcare professionals for specific actions that will support their health.
People can contribute by communicating with our team face-to-face, via video call, telephone, or email. We would like to communicate with people with diverse communication styles.
People will receive a $50 voucher for their participation."
If you are interested, please contact Jack Cooper at jack.r.cooper@unsw.edu.au, or phone +61 434 182 259.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Project officer (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
Charlotte : Northern Beaches coordinator (0466 793 100)
Would you like more information about Gig Buddies Central Coast? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
Gig Buddies Central Coast is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
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