News: Gig Buddies

In a recent training session, the Gig Buddies with Thera Trust team talked in depth about why accessibility is so important and the history behind why they do what they do.

With us celebrating ten years of Gig Buddies with Thera Trust this year we are looking back on the last 10 years of trips to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Throughout 2026 we’re celebrating 10 years of Gig Buddies with Thera Trust. In 2016, our project started in Edinburgh before developing across Scotland and impacting over 200 people, enabling adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults to live active social lives, develop their confidence, and get out to more gigs.

Throughout 2026 Gig Buddies with Thera Trust will be celebrating our 10th year as a project!

We’ve had another fantastically busy year! Gig Buddies with Thera Trust has held 89 socials and seen everything from Lewis Capaldi, to Shrek taking his clothes off!

We explore how Thera Trust’s Gig Buddies initiative is giving people more social choice and opportunities.

In February we launched our first ever Donation Drive, with an ambitious aim to raise £10,000 throughout 2025. We’re proud to say that after 3 months, we are now over halfway to our target!

In June 2024, Gig Buddies with Thera Trust welcomed Joseph Cox to the team as their new Accessibility Coach. We caught up with Joseph to learn more about his role.

Sam reflects on the pride of winning an accessibility award, but also how much work is still needed for a accessible society.

Here at Gig Buddies, we’re incredibly lucky to work with all sorts of wonderful arts partners. From promoters and bands, to small venues and big festivals, our arts partners make so much of what we do possible.