In Volunteer Vault #17 we hear from Grant (below left), who tells us more about his match with Barrie (below right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
Barrie and I were first paired on a hot and sunny day in January 2021. Little did we know, of course, that Covid lockdowns would hit only several months later… but we were fortunate enough to get a couple of trips to the pub in before that.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
I’m a lawyer by trade – and not a young one at that (!) – and have enjoyed providing all sorts of pro bono legal advice over the years. That has included ArtsLaw, an organisation providing (among other things) legal advice to all kinds of artists and creators, as well as the Homeless Legal Clinic in Adelaide.
But my first non-legal volunteering role is Gig Buddies, and I have no regrets. It’s great to do volunteering work that doesn’t involve sitting behind a desk.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
I have always wanted to help an organisation who worked with adults with learning disabilities; I’ve always thought it was an area of our community that needs far more help than it gets. I jumped online to see what opportunities there might be and found Gig Buddies and was instantly drawn to its ethos.
It’s such a great initiative!
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
Incredibly rewarding, incredibly fun.
My excellent buddy, Barrie, and I spend many of our catch-ups having a great chat over a good pub lunch. We also go to as many of the events as we can; Gig Buddies knows how to put on a good show!
They put on a great mix of events at lots of different venues. Barrie and I have really enjoyed, especially, getting to know a few regulars at the different lunch events.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
As well as the events and getting to know the Gig Buddies’ community, perhaps the highlight is getting to know Barrie himself – he’s not just an assigned ‘buddy’, he’s a true mate. And this isn’t some one-way street; Barrie checks on me when he’s worried about how I’m going, whether because I’ve been sick or otherwise.
This is just another rewarding part of the experience.
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
If you’re looking for volunteering work that doesn’t feel like volunteering work, then sign up! It really is, as I said, fun and rewarding. You’ll expand your social network, and help to expand the social networks of other really decent people of all ages and all backgrounds.
"he’s not just an assigned ‘buddy’, he’s a true mate"
Thank you, Grant, for taking the time to share your words.
Both he and Barrie are a perfect example of what Gig Buddies is all about, emphasising that both the volunteer and buddy benefit in equal measure.
"Gig Buddies knows how to put on a good show!"
We’re always looking for more people like Grant.
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.