Gig Buddies helps people with learning disabilities to lead active social lives – and to have control over when and where they enjoy social activities.
Many people with a learning disability find it difficult to attend events and social activities, especially at night, because of lack of support and no one to go with who enjoys the same things as they do.
Gig Buddies fixes this by that pairing up adults with a learning disability and/or autism with a volunteer buddy who shares the same interests so they can enjoy social activities together.
Gig Buddies is about fun, friendship, and enjoying new experiences. But it also addresses serious issues such as loneliness and social isolation, whilst improving people’s confidence, independence and wellbeing.
Research by the charity Stay Up Late found that 69% of people with learning disabilities were either in bed or ready for bed at 8.30pm on a typical Friday evening. Only 7% were out enjoying a social life. (Source: The Big Bedtime Audit)
Mencap found that 1 in 4 people with a learning disability aged 18 – 35 had never experienced live music. 82% wanted to go to more music concerts. Respondents said issues with accessibility at venues and having no one to go with stopped them from attending gigs. (Source: Little Noise survey)
“One of the things I love about Gig Buddies is that there isn’t a time limit for when you want to go somewhere. With my Gig Buddy Mark we have been to a wrestling event that started at 9pm and finished at 5am the next morning – that’s no joke!
“Gig Buddies is also great for people who want to do different things – from cinema, and theatre, to drag nights. It’s a lot of fun. Gig Buddies is where the fun never ends!”
– Richie Horrigan, Gig Buddy participant (include photo)
Barriers that prevents people from going out…
- Need support…
- Community safety…
- Confidence/motivation…
- No-one to go with…
- What’s on?…
- Transport…
How a Gig Buddy helps this
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Call to action – volunteer, etc
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