"…. think of it as gaining a new friend"
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- 38 minutes ago
- 8 min read
On the final Monday of each month we shine a light on one of our wonderful volunteers, letting them take over the newsletter to tell their Gig Buddies’ story.
For the month of May we hand the baton to Magali (below, left), who tells us more about catch ups with her buddy Keith (below, right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Just over two years now! And I felt part of the Gig Buddies family from day one.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
No, I’ve done a few volunteering roles before - notably, I volunteered for Uni 2 Beyond where I supported people who have intellectual disabilities by attending university lectures and tutorials with them.
It is an amazing program, but when I left university and discovered I could do a similar thing with Gig Buddies yet do ‘gigs’, i.e., fun social hangouts instead of uni classes, I jumped at the opportunity.
And now Gig Buddies has been the only volunteering I've stuck with.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I volunteer with Gig Buddies because it makes me happy seeing my buddy Keith happy, and I genuinely enjoy hanging out with him. Also, I know we both get a lot out of it; for example, we can talk to each other about whatever is on our minds and step out of our comfort zones for new gig activities.
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
I've had a very positive experience volunteering with Gig Buddies.
I'm so lucky to have been paired with Keith who has very similar interests to me, and the fact that the Gig Buddies team also plan events we can attend, makes it very easy to see each other as well as others in the Gig Buddies program.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
One of my favourite gigs was when Keith and I did pottery together (which I'd never done before) because it was something we could struggle with and laugh about together.
But I also have really enjoyed simply catching up over meals as it's been an easy way to spend time together while trying new food places.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Don't think of it as volunteering, think of it as gaining a new friend and doing fun things you might never have thought of doing.
"….I felt part of the Gig Buddies family from day one"
We’re incredibly fortunate to have amazing people like Magali on our books. She and Keith are a perfect example of who we are and what we set out to do: two buddies catching up regularly, both of whom equally benefit from the friendship.
And we're always on the lookout for more people like Magali. If you would like to volunteer with us, look no further: to sign up with our Sydney project click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
And to find out more about our current openings, click on the 'volunteers wanted' images below.
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
Happy birthday to us!
Last Thursday was incredible - thank you to everyone who joined us at our birthday party.
To celebrate turning 11 we took over Newtown’s The Vanguard. More than 100 buddies joined us as we danced the night away to the fantastic Ever Green Collective Band.
We’ve downloaded, edited and uploaded photos from the night. To see more snaps from our 11th, click here.
You May be right
Now that we’ve blown out the candles on our birthday cake, attention turns to our forthcoming social gatherings - starting with this Friday’s trip to the newly opened Timezone arcade in Erina.
To join us on the Central Coast (and to find out more about the event), load up the link below:
23 reasons to connect
And looking beyond the month of May, we have a WHOPPING 23 socials taking place in June and July.
During the first month of winter we’ll be connecting with buddies in Woollahara, Petersham, Lidcombe, Brookvale, Eveleigh, Killara, Sydney CBD, North Sydney, Darlinghurst, Gosford, Penrith and Surry Hills.
To join us for singing, line dancing, bites to eat, rock climbing, live music, art, NRL, trivia, World Cup soccer, mini golf, or our over 35s outing, load up the links below:
Join us in July
And as for July, we’re inviting buddies to join us for pub trivia, comedy, Winterfest, movies, markets, walks, DigiPark, Mexican and arcades, dinners, and two Christmas in July gatherings.
To find out more about our socials in Pennant Hills, Coogee, Hawkesbury, Rhodes, Cronulla, Newport, Sydney CBD, Campbelltown, Guildford, Kirribilli and Ourimbah, load up the following:
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.
Ready to go
It’s wonderful to introduce our latest match.
Colin and Ryan (above, L - R), it’s great to have you both on board - we’re looking forward to hearing more about your forthcoming adventures.
"I'm planning something awesome - you will love it!"
Every month we give the login details of our newsletter to a member of our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies.
For the month of May we hear from Stavros, who tells us more about starting his course in radio.
"I want to tell you about my Audio Ability course. I'm doing my course at 2SER FM, a Community Radio station at the University of Technology Sydney in Ultimo. Chelsea from Gig Buddies did put me onto the course.
I'm working on a pilot to do a heavy metal program, promoting local metal music. It will feature local metal bands, interviews and some international metal bands. We have class every Monday, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on Teams. We discuss the workings of a radio station, the equipment and rules, and everything we need to know to work and volunteer at a community radio station.
I will hopefully get some airtime, possibly at Radio Skid Row.
I'm having lots of fun and I will keep you all posted when I get my airtime so you all can listen to my program. I'm planning something awesome - you will love it!”
- Stavros, Soul Fly Buddies
Thank you, Kai
For the past two weeks we’ve been blessed to have spent time with Kai, Development Officer with Gig Buddies Cymru (Wales).
From DJing and judging the fancy dress competition at our birthday, to attending Gig Buddies’ socials and assisting at volunteer expos - he’s packed plenty in during his stay in Sydney. Last Monday he also connected with our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies, all of whom met for their mid-year lunch.
Chelsea was also in attendance and had the following to say:
"For this year’s mid-year lunch we were lucky enough to be joined by Kai from Gig Buddies Wales!
Heading to the restaurant in Strathfield, we were able to talk at length about the differences and similarities between our projects and the importance of the work that we do. Kai generously bought Gig Buddies Wales’ t-shirts, badges and some interesting resources on the history of learning disability in Wales.
It was a brilliant lunch with brilliant food and excellent people. As Jack and Alex put it: “getting to meet Kai” was one of the most valuable parts of the day.
Big thank you to Kai for joining us! SFB wishes him all the best on his further travels around Australia and back home.”
- Chelsea and Soul Fly Buddies
Viva value
Vivid Sydney and up and running and time is running out for buddies to take advantage of Carriageworks’ generous ticket offer.
As a reminder, they’ve flexed their generosity, offering buddies discounted tickets to SEVEN top Vivid shows taking place at the venue.
If you would like to be front and centre for live performances by Lil’ Kim, Ella Mai, Alison Wonderland presents: Wonderland Warehouse Project, The Black Angels, U>N>I>T>E>D, Skin On Skin presents: For Your Safe Keeping, or Porter Robinson (DJ set) & Golden Features (DJ set), keep reading.
Discoutned entry? What a steal!
And the team at Carriageworks are also offering buddies the chance to see the following four shows for cheap.
Dates: Wednesday 8 July - Saturday 11 July
Dates: Wednesday 15 July - Saturday 18 July
Dates: Wednesday 5 August - Saturday 8 August
Dates: Thursday 13 August - Saturday 15 August
How do I get tickets?
We want to take this moment to say "thank you" to the team at Carriageworks. Due to their ongoing support, we’re able to provide buddies with access to discounted tickets to a number of their top shows.
And we’re now calling on our community to take full advantage!
To snap up your cheap ticket and to find out more about each event, load up the following link.
Alternatively, you can get in touch via email and let us know the name of the event and the amount of tickets required. We can be reached via: 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 from the following Western Sydney and Greater Western Sydney areas: Parramatta, Cumberland, Liverpool, Blacktown, The Hills District, Penrith, Wollondilly, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown.
If you are a current or prospective volunteer and you live in one of the council areas listed above, please get in touch with us on info@gigbuddiessydney.org or call 0412 145 819.
Additionally, 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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