Leading by Example at the International Men's Day Awards

On Friday, November 22, three incredible members of Gig Buddies—Reece, Dave, and Darren—were recognised at the International Men's Day Awards hosted by the Dadz Club. The evening recognised over 50 local men for their outstanding contributions to the community. The celebration was held at The Forge, the newest venue acquired by The Parenting Network.

An Advocate for Change
Reece has gone above and beyond to support the project. He regularly volunteers his time to promote Gig Buddies at various events, sharing his lived experience of having a disability and how the programme has transformed his social life. Reece's growing confidence and ability to articulate his journey have made him an invaluable ambassador.

A Pillar of Support
Dave has been a volunteer for several years, matched with his buddy Jason. Over the course of their friendship, he has helped Jason develop his life skills, including a Men's Kitchen course that they completed together. When Jason suffered a serious injury, Dave stepped in to support him—visiting him in the hospital and working with social workers, support staff, and Jason's family. Thanks to Dave's support, Jason has regained his independence and is back on his feet—both literally and figuratively.

A Dream Maker
Despite only being with us for 18 months, Darren has formed a strong bond with his buddy, Bob. Whilst Bob has faced health challenges, Darren has kept Bob's spirits high and helped him stay positive about the future. He also helped Bob achieve a lifelong dream: performing in a band! Together, they took to the stage with Darren's band, The International Jet Set, creating a memory we are sure Bob will cherish forever. Can we get an encore?!

Gig Buddies Project Manager Mike Harris, who thoughtfully made the nominations, shared, "It is a real joy to follow and shine a light on some of the fantastic things that our people do to help improve people's life situations and feel as though they have a friend to call upon and share interests with."
 
Inspired by the stories of Reece, Dave, and Darren? You can get involved. We are always looking for more volunteers. Whether you'd like to make a difference in someone's life or are looking for a new way to connect with others, we'd love to hear from you. Find out more about Gig Buddies and how you can get involved here: https://www.aldingbournetrust.org/gigbuddiesportsmouth.html
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Written by Lizzie Senn. ​For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]