Volunteer Vault #30

Gig Buddies Sydney
7 days ago
2 min read

We’re sharing another testimony from one of our wonderful volunteers, and today we hear from Lauren (below, left) who tells us more about catching up with Brianna (below, right).

- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?

Just over three years.

- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?

No, but it’s certainly one of my favourites!

- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?

I have an autistic brother, so the Gig Buddies community is a lot like the community I grew up around in the US.

When I moved to Australia I was looking for a way to reconnect with this important element of my life, and Gig Buddies has absolutely delivered that and more!

- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?

I truly hit the jackpot being paired with Bri!

The Gig Buddies team did an incredible job matching us. We’ve become so close that we now think of each other more like best friends, maybe even sisters. While we love going to music gigs together, our connection goes far beyond that. We share a passion for animals, sports, comedy, and musicals, which makes every catch-up feel effortless and fun.

It’s so lovely to spend time with someone who gets you and with whom you can truly be yourself.

- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?

It’s been so much fun supporting Bri as she explores her passions.

Over our time together, she’s sat in on university classes and co-led guided zoo tours when Gig Buddies visited, experiences she’d always been interested in but just needed a little encouragement to try. With support, she’s absolutely amazed everyone!

But it’s not just the big moments that have made our journey special, it’s also the constant cheeky banter, shared laughs, girls’ nights, and getting to know her incredible family that have made it all so rewarding.

- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?

It’s a truly special kind of genuine friendship and community. If you’re not sure where to start or need a bit of guidance, the Gig Buddies team is incredible, they’ll be there to support you and cheer you on.

There’s so much to gain by simply giving it a go!

"….makes every catch-up feel effortless and fun"

We want to take this moment to say a massive "thank you" to Lauren for sharing her story.

She and Bri are a wonderful example of who we are and what we do: two mates catching up regularly, having a good time and trying new experiences.

And we're always on the lookout for more people like Lauren. 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?