Volunteer as a gig buddy

A 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 by 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.

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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.

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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.

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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… 

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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.

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

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.

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“Volunteering as a gig buddy doesn’t feel like volunteering at all. It’s like being given a new friend!”
Gareth, gig buddy volunteer, Cardiff

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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.

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.

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

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

5 steps to being a gig buddy volunteer