Do you know people on the Central Coast who would be a good fit for Gig Buddies?
We’ve recently launched Gig Buddies Central Coast and we’re looking to our Sydney-based gig buddies and volunteers to refer people living within the region.
For every referral made, whether it's a buddy or volunteer, you’ll go in the draw to win one of three prizes.
We’ll be giving away $100 cash to the person who is drawn first out the hat, with $50 going to the runner up and we’ll reward the third person with $25.
We’re looking for both volunteers and for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism. They must reside within the Central Coast and all referrals must submit an online application. Buddies can sign up by clicking here while volunteers can load up the following link.
Our refer and win competition starts today and runs for 1 month: buddies and volunteers have until 10pm on Monday 7 June to send their referrals across.
We’re eager to provide the same benefits to buddies and volunteers living on the Coast. With the support of our established Sydney-based buddies and volunteers we know we can help tackle social isolation and help people increase their social circles.
If you have any questions or would like more information about our referral competition, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org, get in touch on Facebook Messenger or contact us via text or on the phone on 0422 061 990.
Did we mention there will be 🍰?
Last week we revealed our belated birthday plans.
Our Cockatoo Island takeover takes place on Thursday 20 May and tickets are available by clicking here. We’re itching to board the ferry for our 6th birthday.
We’ve nearly sold half of our allocation and we’re unable to extend our booking. Come join your fellow buddies as we blow out the candles on our birthday cake. We can’t wait to come together once again - partying with Sydney Harbour as our backdrop.
Proof is in the doing
If you’re after reasons why you should join us on Cockatoo Island then look no further than our photo gallery.
Last week we facilitated two social events - the silent disco at Scary Canary (4/5) and lawn bowls in Manly (8/5).
So much fun was had at both - thanks to everyone who put on a pair of earphones in the CBD or removed their shoes in Manly.
To see more photos from both gigs, click here.
Mum’s the word
As a reminder, to mark yesterday’s Mother’s Day we’ve brought forward this week’s online gathering - and we have a handful of spots available for tonight’s ‘Gig Buddies (day after) Mother’s Day catch up’.
We’re inviting buddies to join us on Zoom as we want to celebrate the role mum’s play. Come introduce your mum to the Gig Buddies group and tell us what she means to you (and if mum can’t make it come and share a story about ‘mother dearest’).
We start at 8pm. To register for the event, click on the item below:
Monday 10 May
All online games will take place via Zoom. For information on how to use Zoom, load up the following easy read guide written by Learning Disability Wales. Alternatively, click here to check out our 'how to use Zoom' video.
If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or call/SMS us on 0402 708 814.
We want to hear from you
The deadline to share your ‘National Volunteer Week’ videos is midnight tonight.
As a reminder, we’re calling on buddies and volunteers to film themselves answering a number of questions for the following reasons:
We’ve recently launched Gig Buddies Central Coast and we’re wanting Sydney-based gig buddies and volunteers to help inspire people living within the region.
We’re eager to provide the same benefits to buddies and volunteers living on the Coast.
To help us pair up more buddies on the Coast we’re looking to our Sydneysiders to talk about their involvement with the project.
We’ve written five questions (below) and the plan is to share your answers via our social media channels during National Volunteer Week, Monday 17 May to Friday 21 May.
Please note, the questions are not aimed at everyone (we have indicated in brackets who the question is for).
Why would you recommend Gig Buddies? (Buddies and volunteers to answer)
Describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies (volunteers to answer)
What does your volunteer mean to you? (Buddies to answer)
What’s been the highlight? (Buddies and volunteers to answer)
Why is the Gig Buddies program needed? (Buddies and volunteers to answer)
Please note, even if your buddy or volunteer cannot record their answers, we’d still love to hear your input:
As for filming, we’ve posted the following tips:
Try to record yourself answering all the questions in one take. If you make a mistake that doesn’t matter - let the camera roll!
Take a 5 - 10 second pause between answering each question. Before answering each question tell the camera what question you are answering (this will make it easier for us to edit)
Try to film indoors to reduce any background noise (like cars or wind)
You do not have to speak for long. This is your film.
Try to mention the question within your answer:
For example, for the question: “Why would you recommend Gig Buddies?”, you could answer: “I would recommend Gig Buddies because I have made new friends and have tried new things”
Once you have recorded your film and have saved it on either your phone or computer, please go to the following website:
From there follow the steps to upload your video. You do not need to login. Please send your file to the following email address: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Enter your email address and, within the ‘Message’ box, please put: 'NVW video' followed by your name. For example: NVW video - Matthew
You may be required to enter a verification code. This will have been sent to the email address you provided. You may have to check your spam/junk inbox.
Please reach out via SMS/call on 0402 708 814 if you have any questions.
It would be truly wonderful to see you all on film! We hope you take part and have fun telling the world all about you, your buddy and your involvement with the project.
One up
This week we made one new match.
We’re excited to welcome our newest pairing to the family - Jaime and Kelsey (above, L - R). Welcome on board, we look forward to hearing about your catch ups.
Farewell Emma
Last week we said goodbye to Emma.
Emma has been volunteering with us in the office since February and has gotten to know a number of buddies and volunteers during her stint. She’s also helped facilitate many of our social events, including the Mardi Gras, the Grease sing-a-long and silent disco.
Before she left, Emma had this to pass on:
“Well what can I say? The time I have experienced with Gig Buddies has been the most amazing experience and I have learnt so much from it. Whilst this is my last week with the team I am not saying goodbye forever as I hope that I will be able to still have a part in this wonderful program.
I have met the most amazing people and hope to keep the friendships I have made. After all, thats what Gig Buddies is all about, right?!
Thank you to everyone for letting me be apart of this and for welcoming me, I am forever grateful. A teary farewell but not goodbye!”
We wish Emma all the best for the future.
Matthew, Carol, Tony, Bec and Chelsea
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.
