Volunteering with Gig Buddies

 

Gig Buddies is a project organised by Bedford charity Living It Up. Gig Buddies support adults with learning disabilities and autism by matching them with volunteers based on similar interests so that they can be supported to live the life they choose, whilst building a genuine friendship and doing activities that they both enjoy.

Gig Buddies originated from the charity Stay Up Late back in 2013, who are dedicated to helping people with learning disabilities overcome loneliness and reconnect with their communities. There are now over 20 projects in eight countries around the world, including Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Germany! 

The idea of the project is to link people into existing activities and live events in the community rather than organising separate events, building confidence for our buddies to go out whilst also creating more awareness of accessibility needs within the community.

Alongside the 1 to 1 activities that our matched buddies go out and do we also hold monthly social events that all of our participants and volunteers are invited to. Over the past year we have had parties, put on our own gig, had our own jam nights in local pubs, been to Bletchley Park Museum, shared meals out and attended gigs at Bedford Esquires.

We have had buddies regularly attend the football at Bedford town Football Club and some have gone to watch Sacrifice Pro Wrestling.

 

 

Buddies have been to multiple gigs at Bedford Esquires and some have traveled to bigger stadium gigs and football matches in London and Birmingham. Some of our buddies went to London for day trips last year, one pair went to the Tate Modern and another did one of the abandoned London Underground tours.

 

 

We have a couple of volunteers who support two buddies. One of those trios of buddies went to Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park in London this winter. The volunteer said “Through volunteering with Gig Buddies I and the young people I go out with have made new friends, had so much fun, found new things to do and benefited both physically and mentally.

We enjoy it immensely.”

There have been multiple cinema and theatre trips and countless meals out! One of our volunteers who regularly attends the theatre in Milton Keynes with her buddy said “I don’t know who gets the most out of Gig buddies, my gig buddy or me! We both enjoy our friendship and outings immensely. I wouldn’t go out nearly as often without our monthly trips.”

 

 

We even have one Gig Buddy participant who after a few years going to gigs with his buddy has built up so much confidence that he has now trained to become a volunteer with us! He has been supporting some of his peers to go to the cinema while he waits for a match and he said “I started off with Gig Buddies as a participant for 2 years now. I started thinking of becoming a volunteer last summer. I’m not matched up with anyone just yet but I step in if anyone can’t make it or if someone hasn’t got a gig buddy volunteer yet I help out. I just want to give back to what was given me when I was in my time of need. For me I would not know where I would be if my friend didn’t get me involved with Gig Buddies. Gig Buddies gave me hope so hopefully I will be able to be someone else’s hope. Thanks to all who have supported and helped me, now it's my turn to help others”

 

Other Gig Buddy volunteers have said “Volunteering with Gig Buddies holds a special place in my heart. Through this incredible initiative, we’re showing the world that no matter who you are, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. It’s about breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and proving that everyone has the potential to live life to the fullest.”

“Volunteering with Gig Buddies is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to get involved in. Giving your Gig Buddy an opportunity to meet new people, go to different places that they wouldn’t ordinarily do, with someone who will guide and look after them. Making them feel safe and secure. It’s giving them a place of safety to explore different things the world has to offer. It also works both ways. I’m going on a tour with my Gig Buddy in a few weeks that I would never have thought about going to myself and I’m really excited. So glad I’m part of this wonderful charity and the support you get is also amazing. So thank you!”

 

Living It Up - Gig Buddy

 

Living It Up - Gr8 Mates Support Volunteer

 

Living It Up - Event Supporter

 

If you think volunteering with Gig Buddies could be for you please get in touch with us for some more information! You can contact us at gigbuddies@lovelivingitup.org or by phone at 07354406270