We match people with a learning disability with a volunteer who shares the same interests, so they can enjoy social activities together.
Anglesey, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea, Wrexham. Gig Buddies Cymru is a befriending scheme that matches people with a learning disability in Wales* with a volunteer who shares the same interests, so they can enjoy social activities together.
*In South Wales we cover Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Vale of Glamorgan. In North Wales we cover all six counties – Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, and Wrexham.
25/02/2026
Kieran and Kara enjoyed the Steps “Here and Now” Musical and the House of Deviant show – both of which were held at the Wales Millennium Centre - Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru - and Queenz: Drag Me to the Disco show at New Theatre Cardiff.
Gig Buddies activities are endless... You could be fitness buddies, theatre buddies, shopping buddies, museum buddies, dancing buddies... the list goes on!
We are currently looking for Gig Buddy volunteers from across Wales! Interested or just want to find out more? Awesome! You can visit gigbuddies.cymru, e-mail gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk or phone 029 2068 1160.
Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn chwilio am wirfoddolwyr o bob cwr o Gymru i fod yn Ffrindiau Gigiau! Oes gennych chi ddiddordeb neu hoffech chi gael gwybod mwy? Gallwch ymweld â gigbuddies.cymru, anfon e-bost i gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk neu ffonio 029 2068 1160.
22/02/2026
18/02/2026
13/02/2026
🎉 Celebrate St David’s Day in a way that truly includes everyone! Our fully accessible event gives people with a learning disability the chance to explore Welsh music, art, language and storytelling through fun, hands‑on workshops - co‑designed by people with lived experience. Make friends, learn new skills, and celebrate Welsh culture in a warm, welcoming space. Croeso i bawb – Everyone welcome.
Wednesday 4 March 2026, 10am - 5pm. The Canopi, 59-61 Tudor Street, Cardiff, CF11 6AD.
🎉 Dathlwch Dydd Gŵyl Dewi mewn ffordd sy’n cynnwys pawb! Mae ein digwyddiad hygyrch yn rhoi cyfle i bobl ag anabledd dysgu archwilio cerddoriaeth, celf, iaith Gymraeg a stori‑ddweud drwy weithdai hwylus a hygyrch—wedi’u cyd‑gynllunio gan bobl â phrofiad byw. Dewch i wneud ffrindiau, dysgu sgiliau newydd a dathlu diwylliant Cymru mewn lle croesawgar.
Dydd Mercher 4 Mawrth 2026. Y Canopi, 59-61 Stryd Tudor, Caerdydd, CF11 6AD.
🎉 Dathlwch Dydd Gŵyl Dewi mewn ffordd sy’n cynnwys pawb! Mae ein digwyddiad hygyrch yn rhoi cyfle i bobl ag anabledd dysgu archwilio cerddoriaeth, celf, iaith Gymraeg a stori‑ddweud drwy weithdai hwylus a hygyrch—wedi’u cyd‑gynllunio gan bobl â phrofiad byw. Dewch i wneud ffrindiau, dysgu sgiliau newydd a dathlu diwylliant Cymru mewn lle croesawgar.
Dydd Mercher 4 Mawrth 2026. Y Canopi, 59-61 Stryd Tudor, Caerdydd, CF11 6AD.
🎉 Celebrate St David’s Day in a way that truly includes everyone! Our fully accessible event gives people with a learning disability the chance to explore Welsh music, art, language and storytelling through fun, hands‑on workshops - co‑designed by people with lived experience. Make friends, learn new skills, and celebrate Welsh culture in a warm, welcoming space. Croeso i bawb – Everyone welcome.
Wednesday 4 March 2026, 10am - 5pm. The Canopi, 59-61 Tudor Street, Cardiff, CF11 6AD.
Heddiw, rydym ni wedi cyhoeddi ein maniffesto cyn etholiad y Senedd a gynhelir ar Dydd Iau 7 Mai 2026.
Mae ein maniffesto yn tynnu sylw at y materion allweddol rydym ni’n credu mae angen mynd i’r afael â nhw gan Senedd nesaf Cymru i wella bywydau pobl ag anabledd dysgu a’u teuluoedd/gofalwyr ledled Cymru.
We have today published our manifesto ahead of the Senedd election taking place on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Our manifesto highlights the key issues that we believe need to be addressed by the next Welsh Parliament to improve the lives of people with a learning disability and their families/carers across Wales.
There are still a few tickets left for this brilliant FREE Valentine's clubnight in Bridgend on Friday 13 February - hosted by our friends at FFCHA / First Choice Housing Associationand DDimensionsCymru. 6.30pm until 10pm.
The free event is for anyone with learning disabilities, autism or support needs.
There are lots of things going on, including:
- A 'Speed Dates and Mates' session from 6:30pm-7:30pm. There are tickets available with or without the Speed Dates & Mates session so please read the ticket information carefully.
- DJ, food, and photobooth for everyone!
- A quiet space with sensory equipment.
- Light buffet food will be provided. You can buy your own drinks at the bar (card and cash accepted).
Come and join us for our exciting Valentine's event!
10/02/2026
Gwynedd gig buddies Wendy and Robin watched the new film 'Kangaroo' at Galeri Caernarfon.
in Caernarfon. Wendy said "It was funny and sad, but a proper 'feel good' film and Kangaroos are one of Robin's favourite animals".
Gig Buddies activities are endless... You could be fitness buddies, theatre buddies, shopping buddies, museum buddies, dancing buddies... the list goes on!
We are currently looking for Gig Buddy volunteers from across Wales! Interested or just want to find out more? Awesome! You can visit gigbuddies.cymru, e-mail gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk or phone 029 2068 1160.
Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn chwilio am wirfoddolwyr o bob cwr o Gymru i fod yn Ffrindiau Gigiau! Oes gennych chi ddiddordeb neu hoffech chi gael gwybod mwy? Gallwch ymweld â gigbuddies.cymru, anfon e-bost i gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk neu ffonio 029 2068 1160.
07/02/2026
04/02/2026
A throwback to our Gig Buddies night out in Swansea! Dorothys Showbar Swansea Popworld Swansea we had a blast! 💃 🕺 🍻 🍟
We're looking for volunteers in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot - want to know more? Drop us a message!
Address
41 Lambourne Crescent, Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen Cardiff CF145GG
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Gig Buddies is a befriending scheme that matches people with a learning disability and/or autism in Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan, with volunteers who share the same interests, so they can go to gigs and events together.
Funded by First Choice Housing Association, and managed by Learning Disability Wales, we specifically focus on events that happen in the evenings, such as concerts, in order to break the many barriers that stop people with a learning disability going out at night and staying up late.
These barriers include lack of support, or inflexible support that forces people to leave events early. Other obstacles include transport, confidence, safety, and accessibility of venues and events. Most importantly, Gig Buddies are free to choose what their ‘gig’ is and when and where they want to go.
What kind of Gig Buddy do you want?
A ‘gig’ can be a concert or a festival, but it can also be a rugby match, a trip to a museum or theme park, or a visit to the beach. Your Gig Buddy could be a Football Buddy, a Bowling Buddy, a Rambling Buddy, a Quiz Buddy, a Roller Skating Buddy, a Surfing Buddy. If you find it difficult to get to events and gigs a Gig Buddy can make this possible for you. It’s all down to you to tell us what kind of Buddy you want!
We are currently looking for:
Adults with a learning disability in Cardiff who need support to go to gigs and events. You need to live in Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf or the Vale of Glamorgan to get a Gig Buddy. You Gig Buddy can support you to go to gigs and events in your area, or events that happen outside your area.
Volunteers who can support adults in Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan to go to gigs and events. Volunteers must live in these areas are close by.
Our Gig Buddies team is Kai Jones, Project Coordinator for Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Kylie Smith, Project Administrator for Cardiff. Get in touch by email: gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk or phone: 07707 605 314 / 07594 938 522 / Office: 029 2068 1160.
Watch this video to see some of the amazing times we’ve had at Gig Buddies
