It’s midyear report time.
We’ve produced half yearly reports every year since we started in 2015. They outline some of the challenges we face when it comes to pairing up people, focussing on our imbalance of volunteers to gig buddies - and the geographical issues Sydney can present.
To better illustrate our point we created a map of Sydney, showcasing where we sit in terms of numbers (correct as of Thursday 9 July).
As highlighted by the map, we have an abundance of unmatched volunteers from the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs, while the Northern Beaches represents the area with the largest number of unpaired buddies.
As of last Thursday (9/7) we had a total of 501 volunteers and 175 buddies on our books. Of those numbers, we currently have 107 matches, meaning there’s a total of 394 volunteers and 68 buddies still waiting to be matched.
We’re eager to get more volunteers paired up, and we’re calling on our current participants to recommend our services to anyone they know who has a mild to moderate learning disability and/or autism.
Nothing has changed when it comes to our approach: in addition to pairing people based on mutual interests, we also pay attention to the geographic location of both gig buddy and volunteer, while gender and age preferences are also taken into consideration.
As for us, we are taking steps to address the imbalance - running targeted adverts via recruitment sites and on social media, while also appealing for more participants courtesy of an increased number of media appearances.
To those still waiting, we’re trying our level best. However, sometimes it comes down to luck and whether there’s a buddy available within the area who not only happens to share the same interests, but also ticks the boxes in terms of gender, age and location preferences.
The jury has spoken 🧑⚖️
Our attempts to engage with buddies and volunteers continue this week as we invite participants to join us online for virtual bingo and a new event, Gig Buddies Sydney jukebox jury.
With regards to jukebox jury, we’ll host a Zoom session where we invite buddies to share a YouTube clip of their favourite song. After the music we’ll have a Q&A where buddies can inform attendees of why that song is special to them.
Whether rock, pop, techno or classical - the song can be any genre, as long as it means something to you.
To join us online for any of our events, click on the links listed below.
Tuesday 14/7:
- Midday: Gig Buddies Sydney jukebox jury
- 6:30pm: Gig Buddies Sydney virtual bingo
Thursday 16/7:
- Midday: Gig Buddies Sydney virtual bingo
Friday 17/7:
The above ticket links will include information about what technology is needed to join in. All Gig Buddies Sydney online activities take place via Zoom.
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside…. 👣
Since our last update we facilitated another two bushwalks, the coastal treks of Coogee to Bondi Beach (9/7) and Manly to Shelly Beach (11/7).
While the weather was favourable for us in the Eastern Suburbs, it was a different story for Saturday’s stroll on the Northern Beaches. Still, the overcast conditions didn’t put people off - thanks to everyone who joined us in Coogee and Manly.
To see more snaps from both walks, click here. And for those of you wondering about the helicopter, buddies got a close up of the police in action - hovering around the waters off Manly to deter people below from exploring the cliff edge.
Our remaining bushwalks have now sold out, but if you have any questions about this week’s online events send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org, get in touch on Facebook Messenger or contact us via text or on the phone on either 0422 061 990 or 0412 145 819.
More matches
Our recent pairing spree continued this week as we made two new matches.
We’re delighted to welcome Carmelo and Simon (top, L - R) and Finley and Alastair (bottom, L - R) to the family.
And more trained volunteers
And this week we also readied another nine volunteers.
Thanks to Immanuel, Rebecca, Evelyn (top, L - R), Serena and Lee (middle, L - R) and Pete, Matt, Lucy and Jenna (bottom, L - R) for attending our training sessions. We look forward to introducing you to your respective buddies soon.
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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