Gig Buddies has launched Covid emergency appeal
The internet has become an essential tool to combat loneliness and isolation in these difficult times, but some people with a learning disability are not online and Gig Buddies has launched an emergency appeal to get them online now and for the future.
The charity says the Coronavirus crisis has highlighted bigger inequalities for people with learning disabilities who aren’t online.
While many of us are holding pub quizzes on Zoom meetings, Facetiming, and connecting with our communities online many people with learning disabilities are more cut off from society than ever before.
With support groups and community centres closed during the pandemic, people with a learning disability have also suffered a huge change to their routines.
Many people with learning disabilities would be able to use the internet if they were given the resources they needed and Gig Buddies is hoping to get people online and appealing to Sussex residents to donate if they can.
A spokesperson from Gig Buddies said: “We’ve launched this emergency appeal because we’re concerned that 25 per cent of the people that we work with are also without a connection to the internet.
“Without internet, a time like this is a very lonely place to be.
“Especially if you already know what it feels like to be socially isolated because you rely on a support worker to access the outside world.
“That’s why we’re asking for your help to connect our participants who aren’t already online, and want to be, via a smartphone.
“Your support will bring a vital social lifeline to people who really need it right now.
“Your donation will go directly to getting people connected to the internet who are really isolated at the moment and have little contact with the outside world.”
Even just £5 can help to make a difference to someone’s life and pay for the postage of a smartphone to someone’s home.
A donation of £10 will keep someone online for a month and £25 will support the charity’s online coffee morning, which really help to combat isolation and boredom during these difficult times.
Anyone able to donate £50 will enable someone to get connected with the support and training to continue and £100 will provide a new smart phone for a person with a learning disability.
Finally, a donation of £250 will allow Gig Buddies to get someone have smart phone and internet access for six months. As a result, they will be able to learn lots of new skills and make connections with others including Coronavirusfest of other virtual concerts and event with their gig buddy.
The Gig Buddies spokesperson added, “These are very tricky times and we all need to create as much connection and community as we possibly can to support each other. Being connected is the first step to making this happen.
“So thank you for your support.”
While Gig Buddies has received some funding and support from the National Lottery, West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, it relies on donations. Visit www. gigbuddies.org.uk.