We’re making some important changes that you need to know about.
As Gig Buddies Sydney continues to grow we have to look at ways to make the project more sustainable. This means we will be asking all participants to contribute three hours a month from their NDIS plan.
Gig Buddies Sydney has been a free service since we started in 2015 - all possible due to external funding the project has received. We also rely on the support of our wonderful volunteers, who donate their time - and over the past four years we’ve seen the positive effects that community and friendship has had on the people that use the project.
We aspire to grow as a community and to continue providing social opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, all with the overall aim of making Gig Buddies Sydney self-sustaining.
In order to make Gig Buddies Sydney sustainable we are requesting participants include the project in their NDIS plan. This small charge will cover administration and staffing costs of running the project only; volunteers will still be donating their time to the project and will not be paid.
Where will the money go?
In return for contributing three hours a month from your NDIS plan participants will:
• Get invited to regular Gig Buddy Sydney socials, where you can meet new people.
• We will try to find you a Gig Buddy volunteer to buddy you up with.
• We will chaperone you on your first gig out with your buddy.
• If you have already been matched, we will support you and your volunteer when necessary.
• If your match breaks down, we will aim to find you another volunteer as soon as possible.
• Benefit from free, discounted or early release tickets for certain events.
The money will also go towards other things that need to happen in order to make the project work. These include:
• Advertising the project / recruitment of both volunteers and buddies.
• Interviewing volunteers.
• Police checking volunteers.
• Training volunteers.
• The planning and facilitation of Gig Buddies Sydney socials.
• Facilitating our user-led advisory group, Soul Fly Band.
Why should I include Gig Buddies Sydney in my NDIS plan?
Apart from the parties, the sports events, the increased confidence and the awesome friendships to be made…
The project helps to facilitate an environment where adults with learning disabilities can access mainstream events. We challenge the status quo while also increasing social and community participation.
Our buddies have reported how being a part of the project has increased their confidence, helped them to make friends, helped them to find out about things in their community, and made them feel less lonely.
What happens next?
If you have capacity in your NDIS package and would like to continue your involvement with the Gig Buddies Sydney project, please click here to download our “NDIS information” form. Once complete please email Harri, Gig Buddies Sydney’s NDIS Coordinator: harriet@assistcom.org
Alternatively, please print out your completed form and mail your response to: Gig Buddies Sydney, 125 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point, NSW, 2060.
Once received we will then be able to create a Service Agreement for you. This is a document that says you would like to be a participant of Gig Buddies Sydney and you'll contribute three hours a month from your NDIS package.
The first payment from your NDIS package will come out four weeks from the start date of your Service Agreement. Should you wish to leave Gig Buddies Sydney, participants are required to give four weeks’ notice.
What if I don't have a plan?
If you would like to be part of Gig Buddies Sydney but do not have an NDIS plan or you are ineligible to apply for an NDIS package, please get in touch with Harri.
How can Gig Buddies Sydney help me?
We know that getting NDIS funding can sometimes be stressful and complicated. To make things easier we can:
• Provide a letter of recommendation from our CEO, saying that you are a participant of the project.
• Provide a quote for service – this tells you the price of paying by ‘Core Support**’ or ‘Capacity Building**'.
** Gig Buddies Sydney can be incorporated into an NDIS plan, either under ‘Core Support’ or ‘Capacity Building’. To view the respective charges for each line item, click here.
With regards to letters of recommendations, participants have taken these to renewal meetings and found them useful. We are also more than happy to provide you with any other information that you think might be of benefit. Please get in touch with Harri and she will be able to help.
What happens if I can't pay?
We understand that in some cases participants may need to wait until their NDIS review to add Gig Buddies Sydney to their package. In order to remain as a participant of the project we will need assurance from yourself that you will add Gig Buddies Sydney following any NDIS review.
You will need to let us know when your review date is so we can contact you six weeks before to remind you and provide information that will be useful to take to your review meeting. Please inform Harri should you require this option.
We have had to make the difficult decision that if a participant is unable to contribute three hours a month from their NDIS package or they are unwilling to do so following an NDIS review, they will no longer be able to remain as a participant of Gig Buddies Sydney.
Should you have any questions about our changes please get in touch with Harri.
Harri can be contacted on (02) 9419 6951 or via email: harriet@assistcom.org
Matthew Collins
Gig Buddies Sydney Community Engagement Coordinator
matt@assistcom.org
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy reveling 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.