New year, new you
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Nearly two weeks into 2026, we’re calling on those who may have given thought to (and possibly broken) their new year’s resolution.
Simply put, we need more volunteers.
The rewarding benefits of giving your time include:
develop new skills, gain experience and have a chance to use those skills
have a sense of purpose
give back and make a difference
get out and have fun.
And there are many reasons why people volunteer, such as:
connecting with other people
supporting important causes or creating social impact
learning about different cultures
giving back to communities, organisations and not-for-profits
finding pathways to job, study or training opportunities
developing new skills or getting experience to improve employment opportunities.
From our perspective, volunteering with Gig Buddies provides fun opportunities, the chance to make new friends, and the opportunity to try new things.
If you (or someone you know) fits the bill, all we require is a commitment to catch up with a buddy once a month.
As a reminder, we tackle social isolation for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism. We match adults with disability with volunteers - both of whom share a mutual interest, while age, gender and location preferences are also taken into consideration.
And we emphasise that the volunteer benefits just as much as the buddy!
If your new year’s resolution is to get out more, try new experiences and to expand your social circle, join the team and volunteer with Gig Buddies.
To find out more about our Sydney and Central Coast projects, click on the highlighted links.
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
Tickets, get your tickets!
As some of you may have spotted via our social media channels, we’re giving away free tickets to a number of top Sydney Festival gigs.
Sydney Festival is in full swing and thanks to the generosity of event organisers, we’re offering free entry to the following four events:
Places are filling up fast. To reserve your spot, load up the links above. Please note, Gig Buddies’ staff will NOT be in attendance at these events.
Dance to the nines
As for us, we’ve plenty plenty going on this summer.
To kickstart 2026 we’re hosting nine socials in January, followed by another ten in February.
This month we’re inviting buddies to join us in Gosford, Centennial Park, Forestville, Rouse Hill, Pymble, Five Dock, Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park as we catch up for pub trivia, dinners, drag bingo, the movies, board games and basketball.
Please note, our trivia night in Longueville has sold out.
Perfect 10
And in February we’ll be bidding farewell to summer with ten offerings, connecting with buddies in Moore Park, Cronulla, Collaroy, Chester Hill, Hornsby, Penrith, the CBD, Warnervale and Summer Hill.
Please note, we’ve now locked in a venue for our Super Bowl catch up.
To join us next month for French markets, movies, dinners, arcade games, American football, crazy shakes, an over 35s catch up and an LGBTQIA+ gathering, load up 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.
Marching on
Would you like to know what we’re doing in the month of March?
Come back next Monday and all your questions will be answered.
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.
And we're off
We’re less than two weeks into the new year and we’re already up-and-running with volunteer training.
We want to thank both Thom (left) and Cathal (right) for being the first to join us on Zoom for 2026.
Extra, extra. Read all about it!
It’s good to be back with our first newsletter for the year. Today’s bulletin included our volunteer opportunities, free tickets, and details on our social hangouts.
Our newsletter is the go-to place for all Gig Buddies news, offers and opportunities. To receive your dose of weekly updates, sign up by scrolling to the bottom of our homepage. Alternatively, stay across our latest ongoings by following and connecting with us via our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter accounts’.
Radio ga ga
And lastly, for buddies looking to get involved in radio, the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO) are providing another round of their Audio Ability program in 2026.
Audio Ability is a project that will mentor, train and assign work placement for people living with disability in community media and creative industries across Australia. It's a 16-week blended learning course that will have virtual workshops, in-person training, online self-paced modules and mentoring at a station that works for you.
The deadline to sign up is 27 January. To get involved, buddies need to submit an expression of interest via this 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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