Gig Buddies Central Coast is here!
We’re delighted to officially launch Australia’s second Gig Buddies project - Gig Buddies Central Coast.
This is something we’ve been working on for a while and we can’t wait to connect with buddies based within the region.
For those new to the Gig Buddies concept, we’re a not-for-profit that tackles social isolation for adults (18+) with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism.
We pair up adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism with a volunteer, both of whom share a mutual interest(s); age, gender and location preferences are also taken into consideration.
Once paired up, ‘buddies’ catch up 1-2 times per month and attend events of their choosing. Essentially, it’s about adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism attending mainstream events with a friend rather than with a support worker or a relative.
We’re newly established on the Central Coast having been operating in Sydney for six years. The project is affiliated with ACL Disability Services, an organisation with over 50 years’ experience assisting adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism. ACL are based in McMahons Point, north Sydney. To find out more about their service, click here.
Gig Buddies Central Coast’s website is now live, enabling buddies and volunteers the option to sign up for the service. The project’s catchment area stretches from Patonga in the south to Point Wolstoncroft in the north, Norah Head and The Entrance in the east to Gunderman and the Wisemans Ferry region in the west.
To see a full list of the suburbs Gig Buddies Central Coast covers click here. Additionally, if you’re new to project and would like to know more, click here to read our FAQs.
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Want to know more?
I am proud to introduce myself as Gig Buddies Central Coast coordinator, and I’ll be focussing on rolling out the project 3-4 days per week. I can be reached via any of the social media channels listed above or, alternatively via email: info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or by SMS/phone call on 0402 708 814.
The online hangout
Each and every week we provide an online gather, allowing buddies and volunteers the opportunity to connect with others while having a bit of midweek fun in the process.
We offer Sydney-based and Central Coast buddies the opportunity to join in: online charades, Pictionary, pub quizzes and art classes are just some of the things we facilitate, and they take place on either a Thursday or Friday, starting at 4pm.
For this week’s offering we invite buddies to join us on Zoom for Jukebox Jury.
Here’s how our jukebox jury works: in honour of next Sunday’s ANZAC Day we invite buddies to join us on Zoom and share their favourite Australia or New Zealand memory. It could be a song from a particular singer, a YouTube clip of a favourite sporting moment or a personal story - the options are endless.
To register for Jukebox Jury, click on the link listed below:
Friday 23/4
- 4pm: Gig Buddies: Jukebox Jury
All online games will take place via Zoom. For information on how to use Zoom, load up the following easy read guide written by Learning Disability Wales. Alternatively, click here to check out our 'how to use Zoom' video.
If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or call/SMS us on 0402 708 814.
Matthew Collins
Gig Buddies Central Coast coordinator
Would you like more information about Gig Buddies Central Coast? 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.
Gig Buddies Central Coast is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
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