The Joy of Friendships
Gig Buddies Supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities
Volunteer charity, Gig Buddies Portsmouth, has since 2017 built a community of support for adults with learning disabilities and autism to enable them to have a social and interactive life. In Portsmouth, Mike Harris is the organisation's project coordinator. He oversees and manages one of the most important tasks. Matching its volunteers to someone with a learning disability.
A learning disability is an intellectually impaired condition which varies in degrees of severity from mild, moderate, severe to profound. There are a number of reasons for what can cause learning disability and it usually occurs where the child has experienced trauma to the central nervous system from birth. For example the mother may have suffered from an illness or premature birth. Oxygen starvation during birth can result in a learning disability or that child might experience seizures early on in the childhood.
People with a learning disability often require extra support in life to learn new skills, perform daily tasks as these things take longer time.
In many cases individuals with multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) require care workers to help with communication and physically moving, care workers are paid to support that part of their life. This can often result in a closed social circle of family and care workers making it difficult to have a socially interactive life to maximise independence and to live the life they want to. In 2017 it was reported that 77% of disabled people are experiencing loneliness between the ages of 18-34 years old.
In 2017 Kevin (right) was matched with his buddy Steve (left) who was looking to do some volunteering outside work. Steve says “It was a match made in heaven to be honest” and with Kevin has a very outgoing personality. It is apparent how contagious Kevin's smile is to the people around him.
“it is very difficult to be around Kev and not
be uplifted by his personality.”
be uplifted by his personality.”
Their friendship has positively impacted Kevins confidence, and he has been able to expand his social circle and meet other gig buddies.
The volunteer role at Gig Buddies requires them to meet up once a month to do a socialising activity. Steve and Kevin often meet several times a month doing everything from going on walks, laser quest, live music, bowling and going to the cinema. Steve usually calls Kevin with an activity in mind and typically asks “Do you fancy doing?” and without Steve naming the activity Kevin has already answered with a big YES. However they both agree that their favourite activity is the Gig Buddies ‘Be yourself party’.
The ‘Be yourself party’ was held at the local venue Wedgewood rooms is a fan favourite amongst Gig Buddies. The Mantando Choir and DJ Arthur B stood for the entertainment of the party which delivered classic party tunes like YMCA and Macarena where people were not shy to participate. Steve himself says it is a party where you “Dance like nobody's watching”. Set up in typical ‘gig’ fashion with stage, barriers and lights of all colours they had also dedicated the back of the space to a sit down area for those experiencing anxiety around bigger crowds and interactions.
“Dance like nobody's watching”
By: Eddie Stenstrom 2024