Gig Buddies is an initiative new to Calderdale which aims to promote social inclusion among people who have a learning disability.
The scheme aims to reduce the barriers faced by people with a learning disability in relation to accessing social activities. These have been identified as attending the theatre, cinema, live music and anything else that a person may wish to engage within their leisure time.
This new idea aims to match volunteers who will be referred to as ‘Gig Buddies’ with people who have a learning disability, our ‘Gig Goers’ based upon shared interests. The aim is to create opportunities for people to meet and forge friendships based upon shared interests. Gig Buddies will match buddies with people and arrange introductions and give support on your first gig, whatever this may be. They would then leave you to meet once per month to meet up independently and make arrangements to attend other events.
The initiative is being funded by Adult Health and Social Care and is being delivered in partnership with Square Chapel Arts Centre and the Brighton based charity Stay Up Late.
Gig Buddies is currently recruiting volunteers for this exciting new scheme and if this is something that you would like to hear more about, please contactgemma@squarechapel.co.uk, call her at Square Chapel on 01422 3494222 or drop in to see Gemma at Square Chapel.
Useful links
Gig Buddies: http://www.gigbuddies.org.uk/
Stay Up Late: http://stayuplate.org/gig-buddies-project/
