Around a year ago British charity Scope released a report that highlighted ‘almost half of working-age disabled people (around three million people) in the UK are chronically isolated, saying they “always” or “often feel lonely’.
At the time and in line with these findings, we requested our service users refer one person who fits the category of a gig buddy - an adult with a mild to moderate learning disability.
Fast forward to a recent study, released last Friday by the Australian Psychological Society and Swinburne University, that found ‘one in four Australian adults feel lonely’.
While these findings were not specifically aimed at people with disability, it highlighted that “loneliness has significant physical effects: lonely people report trouble sleeping, headaches, stomach complaints, nausea, colds and infections”.
Published in the Sydney Morning Herald, the report goes on to suggest that loneliness “lowers the levels of psychological health, with sufferers reporting higher levels of depression and anxiety and a loss of confidence.”
With loneliness affecting one in four within Australia we’re asking our service users to once again help spread the word about Gig Buddies Sydney. Refer someone you know and help play a part in tackling social isolation. We’re looking for both volunteers and adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities.
Much like those in the collage above, we want people to join our community; by doing so you’ll have the chance to make new friends, partake in personal passions and start the journey towards leading a more full and active social life.
Alternatively, to find out more about our services get in touch with us via Facebook Messenger. Feel free to ask questions or request more information about the work we do.
In other news, we welcomed buddies Hanne and Jaime (above, L-R) to our growing community last Thursday. We’re looking forward to hearing stories of their adventures to sport and music gigs.
Matthew Collins
Gig Buddies Sydney Community Engagement Coordinator
matt@assistcom.org
Would you like more information about Gig Buddies Sydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
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Gig Buddies Sydney is an initiative of ACL Disability Services