It’s that time again, when we reflect on 2021 and look towards to the year ahead.
Despite going back into lockdown, we achieved our target of having 100 new pairings - taking us to a combined total of 388 Sydney and Central Coast matches.
As for the year ahead, we’re putting a focus on maintaining existing pairings, along with implementing a number of new strategic approaches - more of which will be revealed in 2022.
Meet new friends
While we’re all about pairing up buddies, we’re also about increasing social circles and enabling participants the opportunity to meet more people and experience new events. We inform everyone who signs up that they’re part of the Gig Buddies community and, as such, they’re welcome to attend our social gigs.
On that note, we facilitated a grand total of 134 events in 2021 - connecting with more than 2,700 of you either via Zoom or courtesy of our in-person catch ups. On average, we welcomed 20 people per gig.
Thank you to everyone who either logged on or attended one of our face-to-face events.
Did someone say live music?
And if you’re looking for an excuse to connect with us in the new year, read on….
Last week we revealed the first of our January events we’ll be attending. We’re now able to bring you information about two other gigs we’ll also be front and centre for.
We’ve missed the buzz of live music so much that we’ll be in attendance for the following Sydney Festival gigs:
These two gigs are in addition to the New Era Doug Aitken event, taking place at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) on Friday 14 January.
To buy tickets to any of our January outings (and to find out more information), click on the links above. Alternatively, if you have any questions about our plans, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0422 061 990.
That’s a wrap
On the subject of events, thank you to the 210 of you who attended our festive feast gatherings.
Over the course of 15 nights we connected with buddies in Killara, Stanmore, Campbelltown, Clovelly, Parramatta, Kirrawee, Surry Hills and Narrabeen.
To see photos from all of our Christmas catch ups, including last week’s meets in Surry Hills and Narrabeen, click here.
Have I got news for you?
We invite buddies to join us for the final online social for 2021 - our end of year quiz and Christmas party.
From James Bond to the Aria Awards, Ash Barty to the Melbourne Cup - we’ll be asking a number of questions about what made the news in 2021. We’ll then round out the evening with a Christmas sing-song.
To join us on Thursday click on the link listed below.
Thursday 23/12
All online games will take place via Zoom. For information on how to use Zoom, load up the following easy read guide written by Learning Disability Wales. Alternatively, click here to check out our 'how to use Zoom' video.
If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or call/SMS us on 0402 708 814.
Doubling up
In the penultimate working week of the year, we managed to squeeze in two match meetings.
Say hello to Rebecca and Ranya (left, L - R) and Peita and Emma (right, L - R). We look forward to seeing them out and about in 2022.
Our final three
And that’s a wrap on volunteer training for 2021 - thank you to our final three who logged on last Wednesday.
We look forward to introducing Lydia (top), Tu-anh (middle) and Nick (bottom) to their respective buddies in the new year.
"Outstanding service to the community”
Last Thursday project CEO, Carol, got to rub shoulders with Trent Zimmerman and Shane Fitzsimmons at the North Sydney Community Awards.
On behalf of the project, Carol collected the following award:
A word from the pros
Christmas can be a tough time for some, especially with the threat of Covid still lingering. Therefore, we’re going to carry on publishing information for anyone who may be struggling.
Mental Health First Aid Australia have issued the following guidelines on assisting someone distressed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and they’re also providing mental health first aid in the time of ‘social distancing. Additionally, the team from ideas.org.au have shared their ‘look after your mental health in the COVID-19 crisis’ list of ideas.
reachout.com have also released their 10 ways to take care of yourself during coronavirus guide, while for those of you now working from home, Black Dog Institute have put together the following checklist to support your mental health.
School’s out
That’s it in terms of the blog for the year. Thanks to everyone who’s either read our Sydney or Central Coast weekly newsletters, or has connected with us via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
We’re on shut down from this Friday (24/12), reopening on Monday 10 January. During that timeframe we’ll be downing tools and recharging the batteries - all in preparation for the start of our summer socials.
Extra, extra! Read all about it….
Be sure to check your inbox on January 10 as we may have some news to share about our January events.
And finally….
We want to say Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who’s connected with us in 2021.
It was another challenging year, but we feel our community continues to go from strength to strength - both north and south of the Hawkesbury River.
We look forward to doing it all again with you in 2022.
Matthew, Carol, Tony, Bec and Chelsea
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? 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.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
