Gig Buddies is a project which links adults who have a learning disability to a volunteer who has similar interests in music, or other events, to go out together. We are currently really looking for people to join Gig Buddies in Eastbourne so if you'd like to volunteer please please apply at https://www.gigbuddies.org.uk/volunteering-gig-buddies/ !

Gig Buddies aims to ensure that people with learning disabilities don’t miss out on evening social activities, such as gigs, clubbing or theatre. The project helps to combat social isolation faced by many people with learning disabilities, by enabling people with a learning disability to make friends with other members of their community who have a similar interest to them.

The project grew out of local Sussex charity Stay Up Late. Stay Up Late started as a national campaign to ensure that people with a learning disability receive support that doesn’t stop at 9pm – some care homes have inflexible staff rotas, which mean that many adults with a learning disability can’t access practical support to go out in the evenings.

The project has already linked over 100 people in Sussex to a volunteer Gig Buddy! We currently have 30 pairs in East Sussex but there's still 30 people on the waiting list so we'd absolutely love more volunteers! Gig Buddies attracts people of all ages and all types of musical taste – from heavy metal to musicals, indie to club nights. One Gig Buddy volunteer Sam said, “Through volunteering with Gig Buddies I have met amazing people, made some great friends and shared some brilliant experiences.”

It is hoped that growing the project in Eastbourne will encourage more people to get out and enjoy the local music scene. An Eastbourne pair of ours Tim and Robert recently attended the Classic Rock Show at the Congress Theatre and said "We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves! Our ears have only just stopped ringing!".

Paul Richards, director and co-founder of the charity said: ‘the charity was set up as a response to seeing people with learning disabilities being denied the sort of social opportunities that many of us take for granted. To see how the project has now grown with so many people benefitting from is a dream come true and we’re keen for many more people to benefit.”

Again we would absoutely love more volunteers to join Gig Buddies and enjoy it just as much as we do!!

https://www.gigbuddies.org.uk/volunteering-gig-buddies/