Our volunteer vault is back.
As a reminder, each month we invite a volunteer to share their Gig Buddies’ story. To kick off 2024, we hear from Jan (below left), who tells us more about her pairing with Nelio (below right).
- How long have you been volunteering with Gig Buddies?
I have been volunteering now for just over 1.5 years with Gig Buddies.
- Is Gig Buddies your first volunteering role?
No, I have been volunteering with the aged for over seven years. We pick them up from home by bus and take them out for the day before returning them home.
- Why do you volunteer with Gig Buddies?
As I work in disability I know how important connections are. Showing someone that you care by socialising with them rather than them just spending time with their families helps to build up confidence and gives them new experiences.
- How would you describe your volunteering experience with Gig Buddies?
I just get so much from volunteering. Having suffered some depression after losing my husband I have found volunteering helps me feel like I can make a difference. To provide help, have a laugh or just a simple conversation has helped me tremendously.
I have made some amazing connections through volunteering. I am very thankful for my experiences with Gig Buddies.
- Tell us about some of the highlights from your time volunteering with Gig Buddies?
We have been to a few of the free ticket shows which have been a lot of fun. We have a nice group from the over 40s gatherings’ now and thoroughly enjoy our catch ups with them. Seeing my buddy become more confident (is also a highlight of mine).
- What would you say to someone reading this who is thinking about volunteering with Gig Buddies?
My buddy and I hit it off from the start. We both felt like we had known each other for years. Conversation was easy and we were very well matched. It is not a chore, we actually like hanging out together. You can make such a difference to someone's life as well as yours.
"I have made some amazing connections through volunteering"
Thank you, Jan, for sharing your words. You and Nelio continue to go from strength-to-strength - and you’re a perfect example of who we are and what we do.
"My buddy and I hit it off from the start"
We’re always looking for more people like Jan. 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?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Marching on
In other news, tickets to next month’s socials are flying out the door.
We’re down to the final few spots for our catch ups in Penrith, Miranda and Chippendale, while our gatherings in Manly and Balmain have now sold out.
Tickets to our Ourimbah and Bankstown socials are also available via the links below:
All go in April
As for the month of April, tickets to our meet ups in Chatswood, Petersham, Burwood and Clovelly have almost sold out.
For those who may have missed out on those events, places are still available for our laser-tag get-together in Castle Hill, our first ever attempt at pickle ball in Hornsby, and our outing to Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh.
To join us for any of our April gatherings, load up the links above.
And if you have questions about any of our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Each and every month we invite buddies to connect with us for our online chats.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
Meet and match
Facilitating socials, matching up buddies and running volunteer training: we’ve been busy since our last update.
First up, we’d like to introduce our new matches.
We’re excited to welcome Diane and Graeme (top, L - R), Lex and Michael (top right, L - R), Penelope and Yasmin (left, L - R), Cara and Natalie (middle, L - R) and Shelly and Scarlett (bottom right, L - R) to the project.
Prepped and ready to go
It’s also been great to connect with the following volunteers via Zoom: Aizalyn (top left), Louisa (top right), Daniela (bottom left), Nicole (middle) and Alyssa (bottom right).
We look forward to getting our newly trained volunteers matched up soon.
Gigs, gigs, gigs
And to round off the month of February, within the past fortnight we caught up with buddies at three events: Super Bowl in the city, lunch at Longueville and music bingo in Kingsford.
As always, it was great to see so many of you. To view more snaps from our February outings, click here.
On the lookout
Our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies, are on the lookout for ONE new member.
For those not in the know, Soul Fly Buddies, formerly known as Soul Fly Band, is the project’s advisory group. Made up of participants from Sydney and the Central Coast, they meet monthly, advising and overseeing the ongoing work of Gig Buddies.
In line with our desire in ensuring a fair representation from the areas we cover, we’re looking for the following:
1x FEMALE member from the Southern Sydney area. This means buddies based in any of the following council areas can apply: Sutherland Shire, St George, Georges River, Liverpool or Bayside.
For those of you wanting to know more about Soul Fly Buddies, check out this brief video containing past and present members.
And if you want to know why you should join our current members (Stavros, Lachy, Jack, Alex, Nalyn, Joni, Karen and Audrey) for our monthly meetups, the following video may provide you with some answers.
Our user led-team have been around since 2016. They meet on the last Friday of each month for around 1 hour, usually via Zoom. They have an in-person meeting at least once a year.
If you would like to join the Soul Fly Buddies, register your interest by clicking here. Alternatively, if you would like more information, feel free to get in touch. We can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email (info@gigbuddiesydney.org) or text: 0412 145 819.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Sydney coordinator (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
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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