http://www.lovelivingitup.org This link will open a new window.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO LIVE IT UP! CAN YOU HELP US?

Who are we?
Living It Up was formed after a punk band made up of people with and without learning disabilities, called Heavy Load, started a charity called Stay Up Late in Brighton. We thought this was amazing and Living It Up was born. We believe that people with a learning disability should have a full and active social life.

Stay Up Late started a project called Gig Buddies, we host the Bedford project of this, which matches up volunteers to people with a learning disability and/or autism to go to gigs and other events together in Bedford.

What do we need?
We have recently got funding from The Harpur Trust for Gig Buddies and we would like to support more people with learning disabilities in Bedford.
We need volunteers to support a gig buddy to go out, enjoy themselves and meet new people. We pair people up with similar interests, whether this is folk music, clubbing, theatre, cover bands or festivals….. Volunteers share their interest for live music, nights out and other events.

What kind of volunteer?
We would like to recruit people who would like to be part of a growing community.
We don’t ask for any particular experience, just people that ….
Want to help a person with a learning disability to make decisions about what kind of events they want to go to
Are friendly, kind and have a good sense of humour
Are proactive and reliable
Want to explore their interests in local community i,e gigs, festivals or shows
Wants to enable someone to enjoy local events too
Want to make a new friend, and be willing to get to know them very well

What to expect from volunteering?
We know life can be busy but socialising is the fun part!
Therefore we only ask for you to join your Gig Buddy once a month to get out and enjoy yourselves. Also, because gig buddying is all about getting to know someone, we usually ask that a volunteer be around for at least a year.
All volunteers receive training, DBS checks, an amount towards expenses and are fully supported along the way.