Gig Buddies

A GREAT WAY TO VOLUNTEER AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS

A project by Stay Up Late

Our projects are all about supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live the lives they choose.

We match people with volunteers who share their interests, so they can go to gigs, evening events, or simply hang out - as equals and as friends.

We’re here to challenge the idea that disabled people should live restricted or isolated lives. Everyone deserves friendship, fun, a social life that reflects who they are and the freedom to Stay Up Late if they want to!

We’re proud to be part of a growing community of Gig Buddies projects across the globe, all inspired by the original project we launched in Sussex in 2013.

Anyone Can Be a Gig or Sports Buddy

Gig Buddies and Sports Buddies volunteering is for everyone - yes, even you! You don’t need any experience, just an open mind, a bit of spare time, and a willingness to share what you enjoy.

We believe people with learning disabilities and autistic people should have friendships with others who aren’t paid to be in their lives. At the same time, we want everyone to feel more connected to the things they love - whether that’s music, sport, film, food, or the great outdoors.

Your gig or sport can be whatever you both enjoy. It’s about shared interests, real friendships, and making the most of what’s already happening in your community.

Together, we can tackle social isolation and build a more inclusive, connected society - one friendship at a time.

More About Gig Buddies

Our Core Principles:

Culture

It’s about enabling people with learning disabilities to be part of everyday mainstream culture and events.

Friendships

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.

Leading

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

Community 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.

It’s All About Friendships

We’re not here to provide free support or take the place of statutory services.

What we are here for is to make sure people with learning disabilities and autistic people have real friendships with people who choose to be in their lives, not because they’re paid to be.

By matching someone with a volunteer who commits to going to at least one gig (or activity) a month, we’re creating genuine social connections and showing that:

Everyone deserves friendship
Everyone should have access to the things they love
Everyone should be part of their local community

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:

said that having a Gig Buddy makes them feel less lonely

said they’d made new friends in addition to their Gig Buddy volunteer

said they now go out more in the evenings as a result of Gig Buddies (not just with their buddy)

said they felt really able to make decisions about what they wanted to do with their buddy

said they’re more aware of other ways they can now spend their spare time

said they see their Gig Buddy as their friend

Gig Buddies Around The World

Not in Sussex? Gig Buddies is growing! If you don’t live in Sussex, check out where else the project is running. There might already be a Gig Buddies near you.

We’re always happy to chat with organisations, councils, or anyone interested in bringing Gig Buddies to their area. Get in touch and let’s talk about how we can make it happen together.

Get Involved