Did you see the news recently about the autistic young man who went to his first music festival by himself, only to be befriended by a group of festivalgoers who invited him to camp with them and made sure he had an unforgettable experience?

After the festival, his father shared a thank-you post on social media that quickly went viral, saying: “It’s been lovely to see my son have all of his dreams realised in the past week.”

Andy, the young man at the centre of the story, said: “They could have just ignored me, but the fact they saw I was on my own and took me in was just amazing.”

This heartwarming story reminded us so much of our Gig Buddy project and the work we do at My Life My Choice. We want to ensure adults with learning disabilities and autism have the exact same opportunities to enjoy life as everyone else. While most of us take having a friend to socialise with for granted, having a buddy truly changes lives.

What is Gig Buddies?

Volunteering with Gig Buddies means being matched with an adult with a learning disability and/or autism to enjoy gigs, events, nights out together, or simply a chat over a coffee. It’s all about building real friendships, sharing good times, and helping someone feel more connected. If you’re friendly, reliable, and up for a monthly outing, we’d love to hear from you!

If you live in Oxfordshire, consider becoming a Gig Buddy today and help someone like Andy join in the fun!

Read the full story on BBC News.

Get in touch with Megan at megan@mylifemychoice.org.uk.