How long is a piece of string…. ?
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
It’s midyear report time.
We’ve been putting together half yearly reports ever since we began in 2015. They outline some of the challenges we face when it comes to pairing up people, focussing on our imbalance of volunteers to buddies - and the geographical issues Sydney and the Central Coast represents.
To highlight our point, we’ve created a snapshot of the Sydney and the Central Coast regions, showcasing where we sit in terms of numbers. (All data correct as of Thursday 10 July 2025).
Based on the findings, within Sydney and the Central Coast we have a total of 268 buddies and 492 volunteers on our books. Of those numbers, we CURRENTLY have 161 matches, with 107 buddies and 329 volunteers still waiting to be paired up.
Conversely, last year’s report indicated we had a total of 262 buddies and 437 volunteers on our database. Of those numbers, 159 were paired up, resulting in a total 103 buddies and 278 volunteers without a match.
What we need
We’re eager to get more buddies and volunteers paired up, and we’re calling on our current crop of participants to recommend our services to either anyone they know who has a mild to moderate learning disability and/or autism, or is keen to give their time to our cause.
Nothing has changed when it comes to our approach: in addition to pairing people based on mutual interests, we also pay attention to the geographic location of both gig buddy and volunteer, while gender and age preferences are also taken into consideration.
The search goes on....
To those still waiting, we are trying our level best.
Unfortunately, making a match sometimes comes down to luck and whether there’s a buddy available within the area who not only happens to share the same interests, but also ticks the boxes in terms of gender, age and location requirements.
Can you help?
While we may have an abundance of volunteers on our database, we’re unapologetically always looking for more.
As mentioned above, when it comes to making a match it’s all about finding the RIGHT volunteer.
What are we doing?
We continue to advertise on local Facebook groups, appealing for more volunteers and buddies. Additionally, every hub coordinator continues to connect with regional interagency organisations, and we are still presenting at local and mainstream conferences.
We're all ears....
But we are definitely open to suggestions on how we can recruit more buddies and volunteers and ultimately, make more matches.
If you have an idea, get in contact: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or phone: 02 9419 6951.
Alternatively, do you know someone who would benefit by joining our community, or could you recommend a potential volunteer? To sign up with our Sydney project click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
Changes afoot
And if you’re an existing unmatched buddy or volunteer and your personal circumstances have changed, do get in contact.
Please inform us if any of the following applies:
You’ve changed address
You’re willing to travel a bit further in search of a match
Your travel capabilities have changed
You now have more time
You’ve acquired a new passion or hobby
Getting more out of those who are already on our database makes perfect sense!
If your situation has changed, get in touch via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or phone: 02 9419 6951 and we’ll update your application.
Tell me more.....
And if you want to know more about our existing opportunities, we have a list of buddies based in Sydney and on the Central Coast who are currently looking for suitable volunteers.
Load up the links below for more information.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Three down, seven to go
Tickets to our July socials are flying.
Between now and the end of the month we’ll be connecting with buddies in Manly, Eastern Creek, Sydney Olympic Park, Gosford and Como.
Of our SEVEN remaining outings, two are fully booked and the others are on the verge of selling out. If you would like to join us, be quick!
Looking ahead
And as for August, we’ll be bidding farewell to winter with a total of TEN outings.
Tickets are starting to shift. So far our gathering in Bondi has sold out, while our 35+ catch up, the event in Erina and the market outing in Eastwood are on the verge of booking out.
To join us in Parklea, the CBD, Pittwater, Epping, Crows Nest, Erina, Eastwood, Guildford or Banksia get on the links below:
And if you have questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise? Our new and exclusive range of swag has landed!
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via Facebook Messenger.
Give me five!
We’ve been busy prepping another batch of volunteers.
We want to say thanks to Emma (top left), Matthew (top right), Jemma (middle left), PJ (middle right) and Bhawana (bottom) for joining us online for training.
Changes within
As some of you may have noticed within our midyear report, we’ve updated the boundaries on our hub map.
The following changes have been made:
The Hills District is now classified as Greater Western Sydney. For those living within the area, Lara becomes your new hub coordinator.
Charlotte, our Northern Beaches coordinator, will now also look after buddies based in Willoughby, Mosman, North Sydney and Lane Cove.
Tony is the project’s newly appointed Inner West hub coordinator.
Welcome back
And lastly, we’re excited to share the news that Chelsea will be returning to work from next Monday (21/7).
Chelsea will be resuming her Gig Buddies’ NDIS coordinator role, meaning Lara will be returning as our Greater Western Sydney hub coordinator.
We want to say a huge “thank you” to Lara for stepping in and doing such a great job!
As for Chelsea’s return, upon coming back she had the following to say:
"I'm excited to be back and connect with you all again after what feels like a very, very long time! I think you will all be glad to know that my son has already been to his very first gig at the ripe old age of 3 months old - we went to the Stones Corner Festival here in Brisbane and he really enjoyed the music!
Big thanks to Lara and the team for holding down the fort while I've tried to figure out how to change a nappy or two.
I'll be back online from the 21st July.
Speak Soon!"
- Chelsea, NDIS coordinator
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (inc. Hornsby Shire and Ku-ring-gai): 0402 708 814
Carol: CEO: 02 9419 6951
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator: 0412 145 819
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator: 02 9419 6951
Bec: Project officer, Sydney: 0411 252 228
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator: 0466 389 961
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator: 0478 045 121 Charlotte: Northern Beaches coordinator (inc. Willoughby, Mosman, North Sydney and Lane Cove): 0403 184 404
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.
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