Our plans for next month have landed.
In October we invite you to join us in Clovelly, Lake Haven, West Pennant Hills, Newport, Ryde and Penrith.
To find out more about our social events (and to sign up), load up the links below:
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
Limited room at the inn
On the subject of our outings, limited tickets are still available for two September socials.
Firstly, on Saturday 23 we invite you to join us for a stroll through Auburn Botanic Gardens.
Then one week later we head to Campbelltown, stopping off at The Campbell for a night of dinner and live music.
To join us at either event, load up the links below:
Please note, our other September gigs - axe throwing in Marrickville and crazy shakes in Warnervale - have now sold out.
If you have any questions about our forthcoming gatherings, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Spring into action
We commenced our September socials this weekend just gone, catching up with buddies on two occasions.
Firstly, on Friday we headed to Crows Nest for a bite to eat and live music. Tunes on the night came courtesy of buddy Tim and his band.
One day later we ventured south, stopping off in Oatley for a pub lunch.
Thanks to everyone who joined us. To see more snaps from both gatherings, click here.
Rightfully recognised
Congratulations to everyone who received recognition at last week’s NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards Western Sydney Ceremony.
We were in attendance at St Mary’s Band Club to witness a number of magnificent Gig Buddies’ volunteers receive awards.
Similar ceremonies are taking place throughout Sydney and the Central Coast. For those attending such events, please send us any photos from your commemoration as we want to deservedly highlight your efforts.
To send in your photos, reach us via email, info@gigbuddiessydney.org, Facebook Messenger, or text: 0402 708 814
Each and every week we invite buddies to connect with us for our weekly chat.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
Creating change
Our user-led advisory group, Soul Fly Buddies, have been busy lately, discussing all things Gig Buddies and ways we can improve our project from a participant perspective.
Part of their role can often touch on advocacy work, and we experienced a case of this recently.
After an incident that happened earlier this year involving a ride-share driver who discriminated an attendee following one of our Gig Buddies events, our user-led team came together to discuss their own experiences using ride-share services like Uber, Ola, DiDi and Shebah.
It became apparent that many of our user-led team have had negative experiences, including rude drivers, misinformation, inaccurate pick up information and inaccessible apps.
With Soul Fly Buddies’ members permission, the Gig Buddies team took these experiences and questions and put them to the aforementioned ride-share services.
In summary, the main issues our user-led team wanted more information on were: what training ride-share services provide for their drivers around treatment of diverse passengers with different support needs; and what were the consequences for drivers who do the wrong thing.
You can read our findings in the latest Soul Fly Buddies minutes by clicking here.
After sharing these findings, it was agreed that an easy-read guide on how to report drivers who do the wrong thing could be created by Gig Buddies. We will be drafting this soon and presenting to members of our user-led team for their feedback.
Once approved, it will be made available to all via the Gig Buddies website and social media. Watch this space.
As always, we value the insight of our user-led team and appreciate them giving up their time to contribute to not only improving the Gig Buddies project, but by extension - the lives of other people with disability.
The reviews are in
Thanks to everyone who took the time to submit a review of our project on Google.
As promised, we have three prizes to give away. The draw took place last Friday and the winners are……
Congratulations to Amy, Bec and Deanna - $50 gift vouchers are on their way.
Self Advocacy Sydney Inc
Self Advocacy Sydney Inc in Gosford are offering free leadership and peer support programs for people with an intellectual disability.
They offer two types of free support for people with intellectual disability.
Leadership: a service created for persons with intellectual disabilities; the objective is to provide people with the skills and confidence to become leaders in their community and/or workplace.
Peer Support: a service created for persons with intellectual disabilities; tailored to the client’s needs, interests and goals, the aim is to give people the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves.
For more information about Self Advocacy Sydney Inc, click here. Alternatively, call 0401 150 048 or email Ben or Andie on laps.gosford@sasinc.com.au
Sunday best
Are you at a loose end this Sunday?
The Sunken Monkey in Erina is playing home to a new inclusive disco.
“EnAbles is an exciting bi-monthly inclusive event for people of all abilities to get together and have fun. It provides a safe, inclusive and enjoyable place for people with disabilities to dance, meet other people and enjoy themselves.”
There’s free pizza and a chance to win a $50 gift voucher by signing up.
To find out more information about Sunday’s event, 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: 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 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.