Gig Buddies is a befriending program that tackles social isolation for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism.
We match adults with disability with volunteers, both of whom share similar interests, so that they can go to events together regularly.
Assisted Community Living Limited T/A ACL Disability Services & Gig Buddies, is a registered provider with the NDIS.
All participants (adults with mild to moderate learning disability and/or autism) who sign up are required to include Gig Buddies (Sydney or Central Coast) within their NDIS plan.
We charge participants an administration fee which is the equivalent of *three hours per month, either from Capacity Building or Core Support.
*3 hours per month is not the number of hours spent with the volunteer.
For more information about fees and line items, click here
Gig Buddies supports adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism.
Gig Buddies is for people 18 years old or older.
No. Everyone is different and, when you sign up, you can tell us what your ‘gig’ is. This could be mixing it in a mosh pit, watching a favourite sports team, bush walking, going to the theatre or checking out local art galleries.
Whatever your interests are, we will try to find you a buddy who wants to do the same things as you.
The Gig Buddies project is an initiative of Assisted Community Living Limited T/A ACL Disability Services an organisation with over 50 years’ experience assisting adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and autism. ACL Disability Services are based in McMahons Point, Sydney.
The Gig Buddies initiative started in Brighton, England. The project was first launched in Australia Sydney in 2015
ACL Disability Services and the Gig Buddies project are registered in Australia as NDIS providers (Registration Number 4050003928) and registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (Registration ID: 4-3LLK-1912)
The project is currently in Sydney and the Central Coast NSW.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project covers these Sydney areas;
1 - North West Sydney 2 - Northern Suburbs 3 - Northern Beaches 4 - North Shore 5 - Sydney CBD 6 - Eastern Suburbs 7 - Inner West 8 - South Sydney 9 - Western Sydney 10 - South West Sydney 11 - Greater Western Sydney
And the following Central Coast suburbs:
Alison, Avoca Beach, Bar Point, Bateau Bay, Bensville, Berkeley Vale, Blackwall, Blue Bay, Blue Haven, Booker Bay, Bouddi, Budgewoi, Budgewoi Peninsula, Buff Point, Bushells Ridge, Calga, Canton Beach, Cedar Brush Creek, Central Mangrove, Chain Valley Bay, Charmhaven, Cheero Point, Chittaway Bay, Chittaway Point, Cogra Bay, Colongra, Copacabana, Crangan Bay, Daleys Point, Davistown, Dooralong, Doyalson, Doyalson North, Durren Durren, East Gosford, Empire Bay, Erina, Erina Heights, Ettalong Beach, Forresters Beach, Fountaindale, Glenning Valley, Glenworth Valley, Gorokan, Gosford, Green Point, Greengrove, Gunderman, Gwandalan, Halekulani, Halloran, Hamlyn Terrace, Hardys Bay, Holgate, Horsfield Bay, Jilliby, Kangy Angy, Kanwal, Kariong, Kiar, Killarney Vale, Killcare, Killcare Heights, Kincumber, Kincumber South, Kingfisher Shores, Koolewong, Kulnura, Lake Haven, Lake Munmorah, Lemon Tree, Lisarow, Little Jilliby, Little Wobby, Long Jetty, Lower Mangrove, MacMasters Beach, Magenta, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain, Mannering Park, Mardi, Marlow, Matcham, Mooney Mooney, Mooney Mooney Creek, Mount Elliot, Mount White, Narara, Niagara Park, Norah Head, Noraville, North Avoca, North Gosford, Ourimbah, Palm Grove, Palmdale, Patonga, Pearl Beach, Peats Ridge, Phegans Bay, Picketts Valley, Point Clare, Point Frederick, Pretty Beach, Ravensdale, Rocky Point, St Huberts Island, San Remo, Saratoga, Shelly Beach, Somersby, Spencer, Springfield, Summerland Point, Tacoma, Tacoma South, Tascott, Terrigal, The Entrance, The Entrance North, Toowoon Bay, Toukley, Tuggerah, Tuggerawong, Tumbi Umbi, Umina Beach, Upper Mangrove, Wadalba, Wagstaffe, Wallarah, Wamberal, Warnervale, Watanobbi, Wendoree Park, West Gosford, Wondabyne, Woongarrah, Woy Woy, Woy Woy Bay, Wyee, Wyee Point, Wyoming, Wyong, Wyong Creek, Wyongah, Yarramalong, Yattalunga
If you are outside of these areas please contact us
Word of mouth, social media, presentations, TV or radio appearances and magazine articles are some of the ways buddies have found out about the project.
Yes, all volunteers go through our training program.
Volunteers must also complete an NDIS Worker Orientation Module, an NDIS Worker Screening Check and have two reference checks.
During training volunteers will learn about the following:
The project history and why we need projects like Gig Buddies; about learning disabilities; their role as a volunteer; boundaries, safeguarding, confidentiality and"what to do" in certain scenarios; the relationship between buddy and volunteer and more.
We are confident that after training, volunteers will feel comfortable supporting and befriending an adult with a learning disability and/or autism when out and about.
The Gig Buddies team will always be on hand to provide support to both volunteers and participants.
Yes, volunteers must complete an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
This is a National screening system that has replaced police checks for disability workers.
Volunteers are required to submit an online application form.
Head to the participant page where you’ll find more information and the gig buddy application form.
If you need help, you can call Gig Buddies (0402 708 814) or email: info@gigbuddiessydneycentralcoast.org
Sorry, no.
Gig Buddies is all about building longterm friendships and expanding an individual’s social circle. Our matched buddies and volunteers are encouraged to catch up for a gig or an event at least once a month for a year.
Please note, the Gig Buddies project also hosts their own social events that are open to all signed up participants and volunteers. Attendees do not have to be paired with a buddy to come to these events, but they must register (and pay for tickets, if required).
Once paired up we request that volunteers commit to the program for 12 months (or more), and catch up at least once per month.
Everyone who joins the Gig Buddies project has different expectations; availability and personal commitments are taken into consideration and we try to make a buddy pairing work for all parties.
We appreciate that ‘life can get in the way’ and that no one keeps a quota of how often they catch up with others.
3 - 6 hours a month is a recommended estimate; while consistency is key (agreeing to catch up every third Saturday of the month, for example) we appreciate that every buddy and volunteer is different in terms of availability and personal commitments.
Gig Buddies is a volunteer based buddying program, not a substitute for paid support.
Gig Buddies is about friends catching up regularly and having fun. We emphasise that the volunteer benefits just as much as the person with a disability.
Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time to submit an application form. We’ll now begin the pairing process - as described in the video below:
Gig Buddies prides itself on being a high quality service where we take time to get to know everyone. We match buddies based on mutual interests while age, gender and location preferences are also considered.
Unfortunately we never stipulate a timeframe when it comes to making a match. Additionally, we never guarantee that we will find everyone a buddy.
Once you've signed up, you are part of the Gig Buddies community and you’re welcome to attend our Gig Buddies hosted social events - whether you’re paired up or not.
Social events are a great way to meet other buddies, to increase social circles and to enjoy new experiences.
As well as pairing up two buddies to go to events together, we also organise regular Gig Buddies socials. These are for all paired or un-paired registered buddies and volunteers.
All information about our upcoming social events is shared on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our weekly newsletter - enter your email address at the bottom of the page "join our mailing list" to sign up.
The Gig Buddies team speaks with everyone who submits an application. This enables us to make an informed decision about who to match with who. Personal interests, age, gender and locality are just some of the factors we take into consideration when matching buddies with volunteers.
We want both participants and volunteers to enjoy catching up together once or twice a month, so we take care to find a suitable buddy.
Once the volunteer has attended training and submitted a police check or NDIS Worker Screening Check (and NDIS Worker Orientation Module) and their two personal references, they will be introduced to their buddy. A Gig Buddies’ staff member will also be at the meeting. During this meeting contact details will be exchanged and Buddies will also decide on the type of events they’ll attend, how they’ll communicate, how they’ll travel etc.
After the buddy and volunteer have been introduced, a Gig Buddies’ staff member can also join them at their first gig.
Both the buddy and volunteer pay for their own tickets and travel costs.
Some gig buddies' participants qualify for a NSW Companion Card, which allows the *participant's volunteer (companion) to attend select events free of charge.
Each pairing is different. Let us know if you don't want to spend money on gigs or set a spending limit.
*the participant pays full (or concession) price. For more information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-in-nsw/companion-card
Like you would in your other friendships, participants and volunteers pay for their own tickets, food, drinks etc.
In the case where a participant has a NSW Companion Card, volunteers may get a free or heavily discounted ticket.
Alternatively, paired buddies can choose cheap or free events. Both buddies and volunteers are in their rights to set a limit to how much they want to spend.
This will be discussed during the pairing meeting, and buddies and volunteers can talk to Gig Buddies’ staff at any time if money is an issue.
The Gig Buddies team takes care to pair you with someone who wants to do and go to the same things as you.
Buddies communicate in a manner of different ways: text/SMS, phone calls, emails, social media or via a support worker/family member. Every pairing is different when it comes to connecting with each other and arranging events.
The gigs are decided by the buddy and volunteer.
By "gig" we mean it could be watching live music, theatre or sport, meeting up for a chat and coffee, going to the movies, or going for a walk. The possibilities are endless!
That’s totally fine. If it doesn’t work out, or your circumstances change, we’ll offer support to see if there’s something we can do - and that may include finding a new buddy.
We send out a weekly e-newsletter that has all our latest news and details about our up and coming social events. Buddies and volunteers can also follow us via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
To sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, enter your email at the bottom of the page at "join our mailing list" (see "join our mailing list”)
Yes, we’re always looking to improve and grow the project. To both individuals and corporate organisations, our door is always open and we’re always keen on a conversation about gifts in kind.
As a not for profit we’re always grateful for any financial contributions. Our donation page can be found here.
One of our biggest challenges is that it’s sometimes difficult to make sure there’s good communication between volunteers and buddies. When buddies meet for the first time contact details are exchanged; from time to time we call on family members and/or support staff to assist with any logistics when it comes to communicating or planning around attending a gig.
Yes, but we know the Gig Buddies program would work in other towns and cities within Australia. Click here to find out how Gig Buddies can be rolled out to other parts of the country.
The Gig Buddies project will uphold the right of its participants to live in a safe environment and receive appropriate care services based on best practice principles.
All Gig Buddies’ volunteers are expected to report all incidents (accidents, injury, assaults etc) to a Gig Buddies’ staff member. In the event of injury to a participant, volunteers will take all appropriate actions to remove the participant from harm.
Gig Buddies’ volunteers must also report any ‘near misses’ (being a potential incident that did not arise). Documenting this information will be used for the purpose of minimising future risk of incidents of the same nature.
The Gig Buddies team will review all reported incidents and take appropriate actions to correct the situation to ensure that participants are not exposed to any actual or potential danger. This includes (but is not limited to) critical incidents as a result of a participant’s behaviour, a near miss accident, a service practice failure, or equipment failure.
Volunteers and participants are covered by ACL Disability Services' public liability insurance while out together.