Our wants and needs
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Following our recent midyear report , we’re taking a deeper look at some of the specific challenges we face when it comes to making more matches.
As highlighted in our 'how long is a piece of string' blog post, 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. (All data correct as of Thursday 10 July 2025).
Using the same data, we’re focussing on our cohort of unmatched buddies - providing a detailed snapshot of where we sit in terms of our wants and needs based on gender, age and location preferences.
While the data above does not specifically focus on each individual’s mutual interests', it does give an overview of where we sit in terms of unmatched buddies. Overall, of our 107 unmatched buddies located within Sydney and the Central Coast, the data is as follows:
Overall unmatched buddy gender:
Female: 30%
Male: 66%
Other: 4%
Overall unmatched buddy age:
18 - 24: 36%
25 - 34: 31%
35 - 44: 22%
45 - 54: 7%
55+: 4%
What we need
As highlighted within our midyear report, 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.
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.
Changes afoot
If you are 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
Going, going, (almost) gone
The final month of winter is upon us!
So far in August we’ve completed one social, two are fully booked and the remaining seven are on the verge of selling out.
So far our gatherings in Bondi and Crows Nest have sold out. Be quick if you would like to join us in the CBD, Brookvale, Epping, Erina, Eastwood, Guildford or Banksia.
Put a spring in your step.....
And tickets to our September socials are starting to shift.
The first of our spring socials will see us connect with buddies in Auburn, Eastlakes, Newtown, Bella Vista, Gordon, Lisarow, Mona Vale, Bondi, North Sydney, Ryde and the CBD.
Jump on the links below to join us:
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.
The beautiful game
Last week we made mention of creating our very own FPL (Fantasy Premier League) mini league.
FPL is the official fantasy football game of the English Premier League. Last season over 11 million people played the globally popular game and, as the 2025/26 season looms, we’ve joined the party!
To join our ‘Gig Buddies fantasy football’ mini league, jump on the following link:
And for those wanting to know more about FPL, including how to sign up and ultimately play the game, click here.
Meet the team
And lastly, this forthcoming weekend you will find us at Sydney Olympic Park for this year’s Sydney Disability & WorkAbility Expo.
If you would like to know more about who we are and what we do, pop on by. We’ll be there on both Friday and Saturday, 9am - 3pm.
Entry is free. For more information about the expo, click here.
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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