A great way to volunteer and make new friends

Our projects are about making sure people with learning disabilities and autistic people get to lead the life they want. 

We match people up with a volunteer who shares the same interests so they can go to “mainstream” events or get fit and healthy as friends!

We work to normalise the idea that disabled people have the right to an ordinary life full of things that matter (friends, dancing, a rich social life…), and being able to Stay Up Late if they want to too!

We are part of a community of different Gig Buddies around the UK and Australia, starting from 2013 in Sussex with Stay Up Late. 

Anyone can be a Gig Buddy

Gig Buddies and Sports Buddies is for everyone (yes, even you).

You don’t need any prior experience, just the right attitude and a willingness to try something new. 

We want people with learning disabilities and autistic people to have people in their lives who aren’t paid to be there, whilst encouraging everyone to be more active in the things they love doing.  

Your ‘gig’ or ‘sport’ can be whatever you’d like, whether that’s going to actual gigs, the cinema, running, eating out or nature walks. It is all about what you both enjoy.

Let’s make use of what’s already going on in our communities and use this as a way to create connection.

Together we can help battle social isolation and ensure people are reconnected with their local community!

Find out more – About Gig Buddies

Volunteer now

 

Our core principles

(What makes it Gig Buddies?)

These are the things that make Gig Buddies what it is

CultureCulture

It’s about enabling people with learning disabilities to be part of everyday mainstream culture, including taking part in sport and exercise.

FriendshipsFriendships

It’s about people with learning disabilities having people in their life who aren’t paid to be there. Just friends who enjoy their company.

LeadingLeading

It’s about people with learning disabilities being in charge of how they spend their social time, and what time they go home.

Community LifeCommunity Life

It’s about people with learning disabilities being welcomed and loved in their communities and developing the skills and confidence to get more involved.

Get involved

Do you have time to share your passions and interests with someone with a learning disability?

Then sign up as a volunteer and join in the fun.

Don’t live in Sussex? Have a look at where Gig Buddies is in other areas.

Gig Buddies in other places

Stay Up Late logo on pin badge

Create Gig Buddies in your area

We’re always happy to talk more with organisations and local authorities about how they can set up Gig Buddies in their area.

Drop us a line and we’ll arrange to have a chat with you and explain how it works and join our movement to enable more people with learning disabilities to Stay Up Late.

(You can also read more about how we share it here).

Get in touch

It's all about friendships

We are NOT about providing free support or replacing statutory services.

It’s about enabling people with learning disabilities to have people in their lives who aren’t paid to be there.

Through matching people up with a volunteer who commits to at least one gig per month we are able to show:

Credits: Hani Fauzia Ramadhani & Nada Ibrahim Saleh

Gig Buddy volunteers make a difference

Through matching people up with a volunteer who commits to at least one gig per month our evaluation shows:

86%said they see their Gig Buddy as their friend
82%said they felt really able to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their buddy
76%said they’re more aware of other ways they can now spend their spare time
79%said they now go out more in the evenings as a result of Gig Buddies (not just with their buddy)
90%said that having a Gig Buddy makes them feel less lonely
78%said they’d made new friends in addition to their Gig Buddy volunteer

Gig Buddies in other places

If you want to find out if there’s a Gig Buddies project near you please see this page.

Gig Buddies in Other Places

Join our conversation

#gigbuddies