How long is a piece of string…. ?
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- Aug 9
- 8 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 Wednesday 5 August 2026).
Based on the findings, within Sydney and the Central Coast we have a total of 290 buddies and 452 volunteers on our books. Of those numbers, we CURRENTLY have 161 matches, with 129 buddies and 291 volunteers still waiting to be paired up.
Conversely, last year’s report indicated we had a total of 268 buddies and 491 volunteers on our database. Of those numbers, 161 were also paired up, resulting in a total 107 buddies and 329 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’ve recently made the decision to streamline our marketing approach (continue reading below for more information - better focussing on platforms where we have a greater presence, while looking at new potential avenues).
As such, we’ve stepped up our paid social media marketing. Additionally, every hub coordinator continues to connect with regional interagency organisations and local Facebook community groups, and we continue to present at regional and national conferences and expos.
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
- You have a friend, family member or colleague who could help our cause
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
Let's get quizzical
Trivia tickets are starting to shift - thank you to everyone so far who’s reserved their place at our fundraising event.
As a reminder, on Monday 7 September we’ll be taking over the second floor at Surry Hills’ Keg & Brew Hotel - and all money raised on the night will go towards reducing the cost of our Christmas party.
To help us raise as much moolah as possible, we’re inviting our community (and their friends and family) to join us for our very own battle of wits. Expect fun, prizes, giveaways and good times!
Winner, winner, chicken dinner
On the night we’ll also be hosting a raffle.
To date we’ve lined up 20 AMAZING prizes, totalling over $2,600 in value!
In our attempts to appease the masses, we’ve tried our level best to find something for everyone - with a minimum of two giveaways per each Gig Buddies’ hub.
More information on the prizes and tickets will be released soon.
Why are we fundraising?
We’re currently working on finding a suitable and cost effective venue for our Christmas party. Booking a hotel that will host over 100 attendees during the busy festive period is an expensive business.
Therefore, to assist with the unavoidable expenses, we’re hosting our first ever fundraiser - and we’re calling on the Gig Buddies’ community to support us.
How do I sign up?
Tickets to our trivia night cost $12 and places are limited. To secure your spot (and to find out more information about the event), load up the link below.
Spring loaded
Our fundraiser is in addition to the other 11 events we have lined up for September.
In the first month of spring you’ll find us you’ll find us in Newtown, the CBD, Chatswood, Olympic Park, Parramatta, Dee Why, Wyong, Redfern, Bella Vista, Waitara and Cronulla.
To join us at any of our get-togethers, load up the links below:
All go in August
Our August outings are in full swing.
Of the dozen gatherings we originally scheduled, four have concluded while three of the remaining eight are now fully booked.
Tomorrow you’ll find us in Dee Why for trivia and dinner, followed by weekend trips to Turrella, Bankstown and Thornleigh as we also catch up for paintball, UFC and mini golf.
We then conclude the month with a trip out west to the Penrith Show.
To join us at any of our August outings (or to find out more information about each event), jump on the links above.
Please note, our dance theatre, ice hockey and line dancing gatherings are fully booked.
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.
Looking ahead
Would you like to know our social intentions for the month of October?
Come back next Monday as we’ll reveal all.
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.
1 up
Say hello to our newly announced match up.
Welcome on board, Keith and Nathan (above, L - R). We look forward to hearing more about your forthcoming adventures.
Ready to go
We also want to welcome our newly prepped group of volunteers.
Yuka (top left), Carley (top right), Michele (bottom left) and Amelia (bottom right), thank you for joining us on Zoom for training.
Changes within
As mentioned last week, we at GB HQ have made the decision to merge the Gig Buddies Sydney and Gig Buddies Central Coast newsletters and social media accounts.
As of Monday 31 August we will discontinue the Gig Buddies Central Coast’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. Additionally, the Gig Buddies Central Coast newsletter will end.
Between now and 31/8 we will contact those who are signed up or subscribed to the Gig Buddies Central Coast newsletters and social media accounts.
Moving forward, for those based on the Central Coast, they can still get their share of Gig Buddies’ news by following or subscribing to the Sydney equivalents.
Tik Tok, Tik Tok
On the subject of social media, we have some big news to share….. Gig Buddies Sydney has officially joined TikTok!
We’re just starting out with the platform and we’re encouraging our supporters to give us a follow, like our videos and share them with your friends to help us spread the word and build up our community.
You can follow us on TikTok via https://www.tiktok.com/@gigbuddiessydney
Share your story
Have you ever had a bad experience with a security guard or bouncer when trying to get into a pub, club or event?
Or maybe you have had a really great experience, where the bouncer was really helpful and understanding?
If so, we want to hear from you!
We have been asked to write an article about our experiences with bouncers and security guards.
The feature will be published by ASIAL (Australian Security Industry Association Limited), the peak body for security companies who overseas the employment of security guards and bouncers.
Read by 1000s of security officers across Australia, this is your opportunity to share your experiences and maybe bring about change!
We want to hear your good and bad experiences with security guards and bouncers.
To share your story, get in touch with us by Friday 21 August via Facebook, call or text 0412 145 819, or via email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
GSS volunteers needed!
And lastly, our new Group Social Support (GSS) opportunity is up and running and, thanks to our wonderful cohort of dedicated volunteers, we’ve been able to increase participant numbers at the majority of our recent social events.
We want to take this moment to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to all current GSS volunteers for their ongoing commitment. They, just like our traditional type of volunteer, are absolute legends in our eyes!
The good news: we are still looking for more volunteers to join our GSS pool - in particular, we need people who reside in Greater Western Sydney, Western Sydney and the Central Coast.
If you are a current or prospective volunteer and live in one of the areas listed above, get in touch with us on info@gigbuddiessydney.org or call 0412 145 819.
Alternatively, if you would like to know more about our GSS opportunity, load up the following link.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (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 (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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