We’re delighted to welcome Malan Jones to the Learning Disability Wales team. We asked Malan to tell us about herself, and their role as Senior Project Coordinator for Gig Buddies Cymru in north Wales.
I’m really excited to be joining the Gig Buddies Cymru team as the Senior Coordinator for north Wales.
Gig Buddies is a project that immediately excited me because it brings together so many things that are important to me – music, community, and making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience live events and social life.
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I’m a musician myself, writing and performing my own music, and I spend a lot of my free time going to gigs and live events – most weekends you’ll probably find me travelling up and down the country in search of live music!
My taste is pretty varied, from soft jazz to heavy punk, so I can be quite chilled, but you can also sometimes find me in a mosh pit! Gig culture and live music are some of the spaces where I feel most connected and inspired, so being part of a project that helps others experience that same sense of connection feels really special to me. 😊
Throughout my career I’ve worked on creative and community projects across north Wales, focusing on creating welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can build confidence, connect with others and improve their wellbeing. Much of my work has involved developing and coordinating creative projects that support people who may be experiencing social isolation, mental health challenges or barriers to participation.
In my role as Senior Coordinator, I’ll be working to grow the Gig Buddies project across north Wales, helping to build new connections and opportunities for people to get involved. I’ll also be working closely with the wider Gig Buddies Cymru team to coordinate and develop the project in the region, supporting more people with learning disabilities to enjoy live music, culture and other social activities as equal participants in their communities.
I’m really looking forward to meeting people across north Wales, growing the Gig Buddies community, and helping more people experience the joy of live music and shared social experiences.
We are always looking for new volunteers across north Wales. Get in touch to find out more: gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk.
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