#MakeRoomForConnection
- Gig Buddies Sydney
- Aug 2
- 8 min read
Loneliness Awareness Week is upon us.
Taken from their website: “Connection doesn’t happen by accident. It grows in the spaces we create for each other.”
We know social isolation is an issue faced by many of our participants. Here at Gig Buddies we’ve created a space whereby people come together, based on mutual interests, and meet up monthly to partake in their passions.
As highlighted by the 'State of the Nation 2026, Understanding and Rebuilding Social Connection in Australia' report, having "one friend reduces the risk of loneliness and social isolation by 89%" and "volunteering regularly reduces the risk by 62%".
Furthermore, "having a strong sense of community reduces risk by 70%", while attending community events "reduced the risk of loneliness and social isolation by 89%".
In addition to pairing up buddies on a one-on-one basis, we take pride in regularly hosting Gig Buddies’ socials - events that bring our movement together. Each and every month we host gatherings across Sydney and the Central Coast.
How do we go about tackling social isolation?
We pair up adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism with volunteers, both of whom share a mutual interest. Matched buddies catch up once a month and attend gigs or events of their choosing.
From the project’s point of view, we’re alway looking for more participants. To sign up with our Sydney branches click here, and jump on this link to get involved on the Central Coast.
And from a volunteering perspective, to see our current opportunities click on the 'volunteers wanted' images below.
Additonally, our social gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with new buddies and expand a person’s social circle. To see what we’ve got going on across Sydney and the Central Coast, click here.
If you or someone you know would like to know more about the benefits of joining Gig Buddies, get in touch: you can contact our area hub coordinators by loading up the following link.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current roles on the Central Coast and the graphic below for opportunities in Sydney.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
All go in August
On the subject of our socials, of our original 12 August outings, one has concluded and four are now fully booked.
This forthcoming weekend you’ll catch us at Kogarah for NRL, followed by trips to Dee Why, Eveleigh, Turrella, Bankstown, Thornleigh and Penrith as we also catch up for dinners, live dance, paintball, UFC, mini golf and the Penrith Show.
To join us at any of our August outings (or to find out more information about each event), jump on the links above.
Please note, our trivia and schnitzel, AFL, ice hockey and line dancing gatherings are fully booked.
Spring loaded
And as for the first month of spring, we have another 12 socials taking place - including our trivia fundraiser.
In September you’ll find us in Newtown, the CBD, Chatswood, Olympic Park, Parramatta, Dee Why, Wyong, Redfern, Bella Vista, Waitara and Cronulla.
To join us at any of our get-togethers, load up the links below:
Let's get quizzical
As previously mentioned, next month we’re hosting our first ever trivia fundraiser.
As a reminder, on Monday 7 September we’ll be taking over the second floor at Surry Hills’ Keg & Brew Hotel - and all money raised on the night will go towards reducing the cost of our Christmas party.
To help us raise as much moolah as possible, we’re inviting our community (and their friends and family) to join us for our very own battle of wits. Expect fun, prizes, giveaways and good times!
And we’ve had more raffle prizes roll in this week - taking the value to an impressive $2,500!
Why are we fundraising?
We’re currently working on finding a suitable and cost effective venue for our Christmas party. Booking a hotel that will host over 100 attendees during the busy festive period is an expensive business.
Therefore, to assist with the unavoidable expenses, we’re hosting our first ever fundraiser - and we’re calling on the Gig Buddies’ community to support us.
How do I sign up?
Tickets to our trivia night cost $12 and places are limited. To secure our spot (and to find out more information about the event), load up the link below.
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.
The month that was
Thank you to everyone who joined us for pub trivia, comedy, Winterfest, movies, markets, walks, DigiPark, Mexican and arcades, dinners, markets and two Christmas in July gatherings.
Last month was a social success on all fronts.
We hosted a total of TEN outings, connecting with buddies Pennant Hills, Coogee, Hawkesbury, Rhodes, Cronulla, Newport Sydney CBD, Campbelltown, Kirribilli and Ourimbah.
To see more snaps from the month of July click here, or press play on the clip above.
Are you in the market for Gig Buddies’ merchandise? Our new and exclusive range of swag has landed!
Click on the image above to get your fill on Gig Buddies goodies. If we haven’t got the size you’re after, get in touch via Facebook Messenger.
1 up
Say hello to our newly matched up pair of buddies.
Ray and Harry (above, L - R), it’s great to have you both on board - we look forward to seeing you both out and about.
"I got some really cool Gig Buddies socks"
Each and every month we pass the newsletter baton to a different member of our user-led group, Soul Fly Buddies.
Today we hear from Audrey (right, left picture below) who tells us more about Gig Buddies’ socials, winning a pair of socks and catch ups with Kristy (left, left picture below).
"I recently went to my local, Eastwood Hotel, for dinner and to meet up with some other Gig Buddies there. My buddy couldn’t come so I went on my own and that was really fun for me too because it’s something I haven’t really done before by myself. So I felt really proud to go on my own but also it was in my local area.
So far this year, my buddy and I went to the Gig Buddies 11th birthday party together. We had a lot of fun there - there was music and dancing and I was lucky to win a prize.
The prize was announced when me and my buddy went out for dinner, so when I came back I didn’t even know that I’d won. I walked in and everyone told me that I’d won a prize which was an awesome surprise. I got some really cool Gig Buddies socks. Thank you Gig Buddies and thank you to my buddy Kristy."
- Audrey, Soul Fly Buddies
Changes within
We at GB HQ have made the decision to merge the Gig Buddies Sydney and Gig Buddies Central Coast newsletters and social media accounts.
Therefore, as of Monday 31 August we will discontinue the Gig Buddies Central Coast’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. Additionally, the Gig Buddies Central Coast newsletter will end.
Between now and 31/8 we will contact those who are signed up or subscribed to the Gig Buddies Central Coast newsletters and social media accounts.
Moving forward, for those based on the Central Coast, they can still get their share of Gig Buddies’ news by following or subscribing to the Sydney equivalents.
Discontinued
And the changes outlined above are in addition to our decision to discontinue the Twitter (X) accounts of Gig Buddies Sydney, Gig Buddies Central Coast and our parent company, ACL Disability Services.
Moving forward, we’re wanting to focus our engagement levels on platforms where we have a greater presence, mainly Facebook and Instagram - and we encourage all current Twitter followers’ to join us.
We will discontinue the three Twitter (X) accounts from this Friday (7/8).
If you would like to connect with and follow us via Facebook or Instagram, load up the links above.
GSS volunteers needed!
Our new Group Social Support (GSS) opportunity is up and running and, thanks to our wonderful cohort of dedicated volunteers, we’ve been able to increase participant numbers at the majority of our recent social events.
We want to take this moment to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to all current GSS volunteers for their ongoing commitment. They, just like our traditional type of volunteer, are absolute legends in our eyes!
The good news: we are still looking for more volunteers to join our GSS pool - in particular, we need people who reside in Greater Western Sydney, Western Sydney and the Central Coast.
If you are a current or prospective volunteer and live in one of the areas listed above, get in touch with us on info@gigbuddiessydney.org or call 0412 145 819.
Alternatively, if you would like to know more about our GSS opportunity, load up the following link.
Come and connect
And lastly, if you would like to know more about who we are and what we do, come connect with us this forthcoming Friday and Saturday.
We’ll be at the Sydney Disability Expo, taking place at Exhibition Hall 4, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
Entry is free and both days run from 9am - 3pm. Gig Buddies’ staff members will be present - this is your opportunity to find out more about how we work.
For more information on Sydney Disability Expo, click here.
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: Project officer, Sydney (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121) Charlotte: Northern Beaches coordinator (0403 184 404)
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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