gig buddies at a large outdoor concert with the crowd and stage in the distance behind themA great way to volunteer and make new friends

We’re looking for passionate and sociable people who want to share their passions to make a real difference. Volunteer as a gig buddy and use your love of music, sport, culture and fun to change someone’s life.

Gig Buddies volunteering is for everyone. You don’t need any experience, just an open mind, a bit of spare time, and a willingness to share what you enjoy.

Helping adults with a learning disability and autistic adults to live their best lives

Gig Buddies Cymru helps adults with a learning disability and autistic adults to overcome loneliness and social isolation through friendship, culture and fun. We do this pairing up adults with a learning disability (and autistic adults) with a volunteer buddy who shares the same hobbies and interests so they can enjoy social activities together.

Did you know that on an average Friday night at 8.30pm, 70% of adults with a learning disability are in bed or getting ready for bed? Only 7% are out with friends.

Participants tell us that having a gig buddy has helped to improve their confidence, happiness, self-esteem and independence. Volunteers tell us that being a gig buddy has had a positive impact on their own well-being, helping them to meet like-minded people, discover new interests and form new friendships.

What does a gig buddy volunteer do?

You attend 1 event every month with a person who has a learning disability or is autistic and who likes the same things you do.

In between events you get together and help your buddy to choose and plan your next outing. This includes helping them find things they would like to do and practical/transport arrangements. We will give you training and ongoing support for this and we will cover some of the costs.

You can also come along to Gig Buddies socials. These are a great way to meet other volunteers and participants.

What is a gig?

Gig Buddies is about people with learning disabilities enjoying active social lives. So our definition of a ‘gig’ is very loose. It’s whatever you and your buddy say your ‘gig’ is.

It can be… musicals, theatre, sport, cinema, cafés, playing pool, concerts, wild swimming, drag shows, food markets, horse riding, museums, dancing, video games, clubbing, train spotting, comic cons, bird watching, mini golf, going to the gym, festivals, etc… 

What is the commitment?

You attend 1 event or social activity every month with your buddy, plus a catch-up in between to plan your next event. This works out at about 6 to 12 hours per month.

People with a learning disability are 7 times more likely to be lonely than non-disabled people. So we ask for a commitment of about 12 months to allow you and your buddy to get to know each other and build a friendship. We have some buddy pairs who have been buddies for years, while some volunteers step down after 12 months.

Being a gig buddy volunteer is flexible. As long as you can commit to meeting up with your buddy once a month for an event, it’s up to the both of you to choose when you do that.

You don’t need to have any particular experience…

But we ask that you are:

  • Friendly and kind.
  • Willing to get to know somebody well, and build a good gig buddying relationship with them, based on mutual respect and shared interests.
  • Proactive and reliable – part of the role is to help your buddy to find and arrange the events you go to together.
  • Able to meet up with your buddy once a month.
  • Willing to commit to being a gig buddy for at least a year.
  • Able to attend a 3 hour training course.

What do I get if I become a gig buddy volunteer?

We give you:

  • Free training
  • A free DBS check
  • Ongoing support and advice
  • Some expenses for each event you attend

Most importantly you will get a new friend!

How do I apply to become a Gig Buddy?

Complete this short form and one of our project coordinators will get in touch about meeting you. See below for the areas we cover*.

For more information email gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk or phone 029 2068 1160.

*South Wales: Cardiff, Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea. North Wales: Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham.

5 steps to being a gig buddy volunteer

  1. Sign-up to be a gig buddy
    – Complete this short application form.
    – Meet your local project coordinator for an informal interview, with a chance to ask questions both ways. This takes about 1 hour.
  2. Training and DBS check
    – Attend a short training session to prepare you for gig buddying.
    – Complete a DBS check.
  3. We find you a gig buddy
    – We’ll think about the best gig buddy match for you, based on interests, personality, and if the person has any particular support needs.
  4. We pair you up with your gig buddy
    – We’ll introduce you to your gig buddy. Their support worker, family member, or friend, may join us.
    – Your project coordinator may attend your first gig with your buddy to give you both extra support.
  5. Enjoy regularly going to gigs with your gig buddy
    – It’s up to you to plan and enjoy fun evenings and days out with your gig buddy!
    – You can attend social events with other gig buddies.
    – Your project coordinator and the Gig Buddies Cymru team will be on hand to support you whenever you need it.