Volunteering is easy with Gig Buddies
Dawn Wiltshire, from Yarnton, and Anup Upadhyaya, from Wallingford, enjoy going out and socialising as much as anyone else. From going bowling to watching a new release at the cinema, there’s so much in Oxfordshire to see and do.
But for Dawn and Anup, it’s not always so simple. Living with a learning disability can make certain events inaccessible or daunting to go to on their own.
That’s where My Life My Choice’s Gig Buddies programme makes a real difference. Set up with financial support from Oxfordshire County Council and now funded through the National Lottery, the scheme matches up people with learning disabilities with other people who enjoy the same things, to experience events together.
This Volunteers Week (2 - 8 June), My Life My Choice is looking for more people to join Gig Buddies, to enable people like Dawn and Anup, to get out and enjoy all that Oxfordshire has to offer.
Dawn is a Consultant with My Life My Choice and said: “I just think it’s good to go out and enjoy yourself. Because people with learning disabilities and autism don’t always get out very much. So, it’s really good that Gig Buddies can help them get out and socialise.
“It’s so easy to volunteer with Gig Buddies. We match up people who like the same things, from going to the cinema to ten pin bowling. It only takes a few hours a month, doing something you’d already be doing. Just instead of going by yourself, it’s more fun because you have someone to go with!”
My Life My Choice provides independent support for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. The charity offers guidance on self-advocacy, enabling people with learning disabilities to share their voice on important issues relating to them and the wider community.
The organisation is governed by people living with learning disabilities, resulting in programmes like Gig Buddies being developed, which make a genuine difference to their members’ lives.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "My Life My Choice empowers adults with learning disabilities to live happily and independently, giving them a platform to share their voice and achieve their ambitions.
“The Gig Buddies programme is the perfect example of our Oxfordshire Way in action, enabling people with additional needs to live life their way, being active members of their communities and reducing the need for more formal care.”
My Life My Choice is now looking for more people to join their Gig Buddies programme, to enjoy events and occasions with their members. More information about volunteering can be found on the charity’s webpages.
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