Sydney volunteers break barriers to music, sports events for disability community

Three years ago, Brianna Russell challenged herself to make new friends, but instead found someone who has become more like family.

The Sydney animal lover met Lauren Cole through not-for-profit Gig Buddies, an initiative which helps members of the disability community enjoy the city nightlife even after their support workers have clocked off.

Originally developed by UK-based charity Stay Up Late, Gig Buddies launched in New South Wales in 2015, following a program trial funded in part by the City of Sydney and run by ACL Disability Services.

Since then, more than 100 volunteers have been paired with music, sport, cinema and food lovers with a learning disability.

‘Have a go’

Living with a disability, Ms Russell had initially been anxious about getting involved with the program, but said she was determined to expand her social circle.

“I just wanted to meet new people,” she said.

“To me, Lauren is just a caring person … she’s between a sister and a second mum.”

Ms Russell encouraged others to have the confidence to step outside their comfort zone.

“My advice is, have a go,” she said.

“[Gig Buddies] is so much fun. You have amazing time with them, the people there are nice, they’re actually super funny.”

Ms Cole became a volunteer about three years ago after moving to Sydney from the United States, where she grew up supporting her brother with a disability.

She said she and Ms Russell became fast friends during their first meeting.

“Bri and I ended up just sitting there for a couple of hours, shooting the breeze, getting to know each other,” she said.

“We’re both big animal people and I work at Taronga Zoo, so it’s always fun to have her along there.

“We’re both pretty big sports nuts … and it’s fun to go to games together, and play games together.

Ms Cole said it could be difficult for some in the disability community to develop relationships outside their immediate family.

“That’s not true for everyone, but that was my brother’s experience and I always knew how much it meant to him and to my family when there were other people that were interested in him, for him,” she said.

“Not only are you enriching someone else’s life, but I 100 per cent feel like you’re enriching your own life as much, if not more.”

‘A safe place’

Member of the disability community and keen artist Lex Tan said they bonded with volunteer PJ Highland over their shared love for the arts, entertainment and the Sydney Swans Football Club.

“Me and PJ have a lot in common, and I enjoy going to gig parties with PJ,” Tan said.

“I think it helps me a lot when coming to Gig Buddies, to spend time with PJ and to meet new people and to get to know everyone.

“It is a safe place, and I think we’re all a friendly group.”

Mr Highland said he struggled to find people who shared his interests before he met Tan.

“There’s things that I enjoy going to, but a lot of my friends don’t go out a lot,” he said.

“I’m supporting somebody else who wants to do exactly what I’m wanting to do.”

ACL Disability Services and Gig Buddies chief executive Carol Smail said the organisation was the only one of its kind in Sydney.

“There’s that point of difference of having somebody that’s paid to be in your life and somebody who actually wants to be with you and shares your interests,” she said.

“There’s that peer validation that is a big part of the project.

“A lot of the buddies are doing things they would have probably never done had they not been matched with their volunteer.”

What’s next?

Looking ahead, Ms Smail said there was growing demand for support services like Gig Buddies to expand across the state.

“We’d rather like to go to Newcastle and Wollongong because we do get a lot of inquiries from there,” she said.

Another goal was to continue to work with and educate venues to provide inclusive spaces for people with disabilities.