Over the past two weeks we’ve shared information about the respective journeys for buddies and volunteers.
You can read about the pairing process for either by clicking on the coloured links above.
This week we bring you information about Gig Buddies Central Coast and the NDIS.
In order to ensure Gig Buddies Central Coast is sustainable we request participants include the project within their NDIS plan. Our standard charge is three hours per month and we offer participants - adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism - two options when it comes to payment:
Category 1. Capacity Building: Price (per hour) $63.21. Cost per month (*3 hours): $189.63
Category 2. Core Supports: Price (per hour) $55.47. Cost per month (*3 hours): $166.41
This small charge covers the administration and staffing costs of running the project only.
Where will the money go?
This standard administration charge supports the project to do the following:
Recruiting & training of volunteers, including reference & screening checks
Costs associated with interviewing the buddy (and potentially their support networks)
Facilitating the initial meeting between the buddy and volunteer
Supporting the buddy and volunteer on their first outing (optional)
Ongoing mentoring & support for the buddy and volunteer
Regular communication with participants both in and outside of working hours
Facilitating a rematch for participants if the need arises
Organising and facilitating Gig Buddies social events for all participants
Organising and facilitating Gig Buddies online social events - connecting both Sydney and Central Coast service users
Sourcing venues, building relationships with sporting clubs and entertainment locations
Liaising with disability organisations, local councils & advocate groups
Costs associated with advertising
If you would like to know more about the cost breakdown, click here.
Why should I include Gig Buddies in my NDIS plan?
Apart from the parties, the sports events, the increased confidence and the awesome friendships to be made…
The project helps to create an environment where adults with learning disabilities can access mainstream events. We challenge the status quo while also increasing social and community participation.
While we’re newly established on the Coast, the Sydney project has been in operation since 2015. Sydney-based service users have reported how being a part of the project has increased their confidence, helped them to make friends, helped them to find out about things in their community, and made them feel less lonely - and we’re striving towards replicating those same success stories on the Central Coast.
What happens next?
Gig Buddies Central Coast was officially launched only last month and, as such, we’re currently trying to find as many suitable participants as possible.
Therefore, from an ethical point of view, we will put together a Gig Buddies NDIS Service Agreement only once we have a potential match in mind (a Service Agreement is a document that says you would like to be a participant of Gig Buddies Central Coast and you'll contribute three hours a month from your NDIS package).
We’re currently working towards:
Recruiting suitable volunteers
Later in the year Gig Buddies social events will commence. These are gatherings that will take place throughout the Central Coast and are open to all service users; examples of such gigs include having a meal in a pub, going to the cinema, pub trivia, watching the footy, having a picnic or going for a bush walk.
Gig Buddies socials are all about tackling social isolation, enabling attendees to expand their social circles and ensuring that participants are provide opportunities to partake in their passion.
Once Gig Buddies Central Coast is in a position to quickly pair up participants, and the roll out of social events has commenced, buddies will be required to complete a Service Agreement upon signing up with the service.
What if I don't have a plan?
If you would like to be part of Gig Buddies but do not have an NDIS plan, or you are ineligible to apply for an NDIS package, please get in touch.
How can Gig Buddies help me?
We know that getting NDIS funding can sometimes be stressful and complicated. To make things easier we can:
Provide a letter of recommendation from Gig Buddies CEO, Carol Smail, saying that you are a participant of the project.
Provide a quote for service – this tells you the price of paying by ‘Core Support’ or ‘Capacity Building’
With regards to letters of recommendations, participants have taken these to renewal meetings and found them useful. We are also happy to provide you with any other information that you think might be of benefit. Please get in touch and we will be able to help.
What happens if I can't pay?
We understand that in some cases participants may need to wait until their NDIS review to add Gig Buddies to their package. If you are waiting on a review please let us know.
I want to know more….
If you have any NDIS related questions or would like more information about Gig Buddies, send us an email: info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org, call/SMS us on 0402 708 814 or you can contact Chelsea, Gig Buddies NDIS Coordinator, directly via: chelsea@assistcom.org
Spreading the word
Last Saturday (1/5) we were present for Autism Central Coast’s grand opening of their new Jilliby premises.
It was great to meet with a likeminded organisation whose staff share similar values to that of ours. Following their opening I will be speaking at their Carers Support Group on Monday 7 June, informing attendees all about the Gig Buddies service.
Similarly, you’ll also find us at the Central Coast NDIS networking lunch, taking place in Tuggerah on Thursday 27 May.
And on that note, if there’s an event or an organisation that would like to know more about who we are and what we do, we’re more than happy to come and have a chat.
Feel free to drop us an email, info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or call/send a text on 0402 708 814.
Mum’s the word
As a reminder, to mark yesterday’s Mother’s Day we’ve brought forward this week’s online gathering - and we have a handful of spots available for tonight’s ‘Gig Buddies (day after) Mother’s Day catch up’.
We’re inviting buddies to join us on Zoom as we want to celebrate the role mum’s play. Come introduce your mum to the Gig Buddies group and tell us what she means to you (and if mum can’t make it come and share a story about ‘mother dearest’).
We start at 8pm. To register for the event, click on the item below:
Monday 10 May
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.
Let’s connect
If you’d like to know more about the Gig Buddies service, feel free to drop us an email: info@gigbuddiescentralcoast.org or you can get in touch by SMS/phone call 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.