Victoria Waller is our ambassador for Gig Buddies Cymru in north Wales. With all the hard work she has been doing creating connections, we asked Vic to share what she has done to promote Gig Buddies since starting in her role.
Hi, I’m Victoria Waller and I am proud to be Gig Buddies ambassador for north Wales! My role involves talking to people about how Gig Buddies helps adults with a learning disability and autistic adults to overcome loneliness through culture, friendship and fun.
Since I was appointed to the role in November 2025, I have enjoyed going to events, running stalls and networking with other organisations all over north Wales. I am so happy to be representing Gig Buddies Cymru and be a part of the Learning Disability Wales Team.
I have helped to run Gig Buddies stalls at events, from recruitment days at job centres to the Positive Behavioural Support conference, to most recently at the Anglesey show. I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting to people about the project, recruiting volunteers, signing up participants and networking with local organisations.
Having been a gig buddy participant myself since 2020, I am able to give people real insight into how the project can positively impact on people’s lives.
Part of the fun is getting to hand out our freebies, merch with our Gig Buddies logo! We have pens, keyrings, badges, stickers and our shiny new leaflets…Our tables also always stand out thanks to our funky feather boas, disco table runner and tape bunting that always draws people in.
In June, I hosted a social planning group for our gig buddies on Zoom with Ellie, our project support coordinator. We came up with fun, thought provoking questions to find out what buddies really want to do with their social lives. Among other things, we chatted about our favourite meals, musicians and what activities that we most want to try.
Our buddies had lots of great ideas, and we will be including them in the social events we organise across north Wales.
FOCUS Wales
My highlight of the year was attending FOCUS Wales Festival in Wrexham in May. I had my very first stay in an AirBnB with my colleagues Ellie and Malan which was a good laugh!
We had a Gig Buddies stall throughout the festival with lots of freebies to hand out to interested members of the public. I networked with important people, including the festival’s co-founder Andy Jones, the director of Tŷ Cerdd, and a Welsh music promoter.
My favourite performance was from Gwenno, and I was even lucky enough to meet, chat and get some photos taken with her after her set had finished! I left for home at the end of the festival feeling very lucky to have experienced so much and met so many new people in the space of just a few days. I was absolutely knackered but in the best way.
Talks and presentations
Part of my role as ambassador is to give presentations and talks to organisations across north Wales. We are aiming to get as many people as possible involved in our amazing project, and I will gladly share our story with anyone who is willing to listen!
I gave the first of (hopefully many) talks to Anheddau Ni, a learning disability organisation based in Bangor, Gwynedd. This talk was held online via Zoom with one of their Tuesday groups. One of our participants, Paul – who is also an Honorary Lecturer at Bangor University – was part of this group. I felt this session was very successful as it not only allowed for them to learn more about us but also how they can benefit from the project through joining us as a participant.
More recently I gave a talk to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Health Improvement Team in Wrexham. I was pleased to have been joined by my colleague John on the day. The team showed a real interest in Gig Buddies, why we do what we do and my lived experience of being a gig buddy. I also gave them a little insight into my more personal lived experience as someone who has a very rare learning disability – although quite often and from my personal point of view, I prefer to call it a brain injury.
In September I will do a presentation for Wrexham’s Voluntary Council at their health and wellbeing network. I will take my business cards with me to hand out to other organisations in attendance. I love networking – it’s one of the best parts of the job!
We are looking to build the Gig Buddies community across North Wales. If you are involved with an arts organisation, community group, sports club, or music venue, then please get in touch and I will gladly come and give a talk to your members.
We need more volunteers to help us to reduce social isolation for people with learning disabilities and/or autism in north Wales.
If you want to have fun, make new friends and have a positive impact within your community then please get in touch with us at gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk or on 029 2068 1160.
My email is victoria.waller@ldw.org.uk. If you have any questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact me!
I’ve had an amazing time as ambassador and can’t wait for the next incredible opportunities to come!
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