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Would you like to get out more and do the things you love?
A gig buddy helps you to attend gigs and events that you find hard going to.
A ‘gig’ can be a concert or a festival. But it can also be a rugby match, a drag show, a trip to a museum or theme park, or a visit to the beach…
Your gig buddy could be a Football Buddy, a Theatre Buddy, a Dancing Buddy, a Rambling Buddy, a Roller Skating Buddy, a Surfing Buddy…… It’s up to you to tell us what type of gig buddy you want!
So what does a gig buddy do?
A gig buddy is a volunteer who shares the same interests and hobbies as you. They can support you to go to gigs and events that are sometimes hard to get to.
A gig buddy will:
- Go to 1 gig or event every month with you.
- Help you to find gigs and events for you to go to together.
- Help with things like buying tickets and transport.
- Help you to discover and try out new things.
Getting a gig buddy is free – it doesn’t cost you anything.
All gig buddy volunteers get a day of free training before they are matched with their gig buddy.
We make sure gig buddy volunteers have a police check to make sure they are safe and good people.
How to get a gig buddy
You can get a gig buddy if you are over 18 and live in one of these areas:
- South Wales: Cardiff, Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea.
- North Wales: Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, and Wrexham.
5 steps to getting a gig buddy
1. Fill out an easy read application form and send it to us.
The form asks things like what hobbies and interests you have. And what support you need.
Here’s the form: Application form to get a gig buddy (Word)
We can also post the form to you. Our contact details are below.
2. After we get your application, our local project coordinator will meet you and get to know you more.
You can bring a family member, support worker or friend with you.
3 Our project coordinator will then find a gig buddy volunteer for you.
It may take time to find you a gig buddy. While you are waiting for a gig buddy you can come to our socials.
4. When we have found a gig buddy for you, we will arrange for you to meet them at a match meeting.
You get to say yes or no to the gig buddy we have found for you.
5. You start going to gigs and events every month with your gig buddy.
You will also meet up every month with your gig buddy so you can plan your next gig together.
I have some more questions. How do I contact the Gig Buddies Cymru team?
You can email us at gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk or phone us on 029 2068 1160.
Our Gig Buddies team is:
- North Wales project coordinators: John Butterly, Sian Lloyd-Davies
- Cardiff project coordinator: Kylie Smith
- Swansea Neath Port Talbot project coordinator: Danielle Wagstaff
- Project support coordinator – north Wales: Emma Scott Davies
- Project support coordinator – south Wales: Ellie Morgan
- Ambassador (north Wales) and Social media volunteer: Victoria Waller
- Development Officer: Kai Jones
- Project Manager: Karen Warner
You can also follow Gig Buddies Cymru on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
We are always looking for new gig buddy volunteers
Find out about volunteering as a gig buddy here.
“Gig Buddies is 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)
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