It’s that time of year again, when we take stock of our achievements and look towards our plans for 2020.
Last year we set ourselves a target of having paired up 165 buddies - and we blitzed that number with an additional 29 pairings. Since starting Gig Buddies Sydney in 2015 we have made a total of 194 matches.
Statistically we make 38 matches per year. In 2020 we’re aiming to pair up another 91 buddies - more than doubling our yearly average to take us to a grand total of 285 pairings.
And what about those still waiting….?
While we’re all about pairing up buddies, we’re also about increasing social circles and enabling participants the opportunity to partake in their passions. We inform everyone who signs up that they’re part of the Gig Buddies Sydney community and, as such, they’re welcome to attend our social events.
And in terms of socials, we facilitated 45 in 2019 - an additional 10 on the previous year. As revealed last week, this year was our most eclectic in terms of variety: live music, the cinema, NRL, AFL, netball, comedy, cricket, theatre, basketball, bingo, musicals, food events and a Halloween boat cruise - we attended the lot!
And in terms of location, we facilitated events in the Inner West (8), the CBD (17), Eastern Suburbs (5), Western Suburbs (6), Sutherland Shire (6) and Sydney’s north (3).
Thanks to everyone who has either became one of our matched buddies or has joined us at a social.
Our final four for the year
It’s been a busy time at Gig Buddies Sydney HQ - Bec facilitated four new pairings this week!
We’re delighted to welcome Shai and Adrian (top left, L - R), Lily and Georgina (top right, L - R), Archie and Simon (bottom left, L - R) and Alex and Ben (bottom right, L - R) to the family.
That’s a training wrap
And last Monday (9/12) we hosted our final volunteer training session for the year.
Thanks to Ingrid, James, Kat and Chris (above, L - R) for coming in.
Just like the other 80 volunteers who also gave up either a Monday evening or Saturday morning, we’re fully appreciative to those who have given their time and attended one of the 22 training training sessions we facilitated in 2019.
Season’s greetings
From Carol, Tony, Bec, Chelsea and myself, here’s us wishing all gig buddies a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Thank you for being part of the project - we’re looking forward to getting more and more buddies paired up in 2020.
And finally….
That’s it in terms of the blog for this year. Thanks to everyone who’s read our weekly newsletter, or who has followed our updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
We’re on shut down from this Friday (20/12), reopening on Monday 6 January when we’ll be revealing our summer gig guide.
Matthew Collins
Gig Buddies Sydney Community Engagement Coordinator
matt@assistcom.org
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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