brighton

 Gig Buddies : a local project for the musically minded.

Do you love going to gigs? Do you love going to gigs for FREE? Do you love sharing music with other people?

If you answered yes to any of the above then read on because Gig Buddies is the project for you! Gig Buddies is a project which links adults who have a learning disability to a volunteer who has similar interests in music, or other events, to go out together. You can expect to go out once a month with your gig buddy for a few hours.
The project was set up as a response to seeing people with learning disabilities being denied the sort of social opportunities that many of us take for granted. For example, seeing your favourite band, hanging out with your mates and going to festivals. Can you imagine never having been to see live music? For many people who have learning disabilities this is a reality as a result of inflexible support hours and rotas. Through matching people with and without learning disabilities together the project creates important community links that may otherwise not exist.

The project was been established 4 years ago and since then has spread across the UK and even to Sydney, Australia. There is growing movement of people who understand that social opportunities shouldn’t be a privilege but a right for everyone, irrespective of ability.

Since the project has started over 90 gig buddy pairs have been created, 50 gig buddies have been supported to attend festivals – including 21 people to Glastonbury Festival and thousands of volunteering hours have been given.

However, the project still has over 120 people to match to a volunteer across Sussex and so the project co-ordinators are looking for new musically minded volunteers to join the project, especially in Hastings. Gig Buddies provides you with a days training to ensure you are fully prepared to go out and have fun with your gig buddy. They also carry out police checks, reimburse your expenses and provide support and supervisions throughout your time with them.

If you think you would like to go out and see more music or attend social events with people from your community then please apply online at www.gigbuddies.org.uk or contact Harri Oliver on harri@stayuplate.org

Matt Thomas… Fantastic idea – no one should be denied their chance of discovering live music

Colin Norton… I agree with Matt! This is a great idea!

Lyn Humphrey… People with learning disabilities can really benefit from the Gig Buddies type of thing. And it needn’t be just to do with music; volunteers can take a person out so they can maybe follow an obscure interest that they’d otherwise never have the opportunity to experience.