Gig Buddies Bedford will join a national celebration of real social lives and late-night fun this spring as part of Stay Up Late Week – a campaign by the charity Stay Up Late, running from 5 to 11 May 2025.
The campaign shines a spotlight on how rigid care rotas can prevent adults with learning disabilities from staying out past 9pm – excluding them from the full experience of gigs, events and evening entertainment.
Making it happen
Hosted by Living It Up, Gig Buddies Bedford matches adults with learning disabilities and/or autism with local volunteers based on shared interests, helping them enjoy gigs, events and nights out together.
To mark the week, Gig Buddies will host a special event in Bedford – heading out for dinner and then a live bandeoke night at The Standard, supported by the venue’s welcoming team.
Fizz, co-CEO of Living It Up, said: “I’m so excited to be part of Stay Up Late Week. It’s always brilliant when businesses are accommodating and The Standard goes above and beyond for us. I’m looking forward to a great night out with a great bunch of people.”
Marie, Gig Buddies facilitator, added, “Stay Up Late Week is going to be great! I can’t wait to see what people choose to sing at bandeoke. It’s such an honour to help create spaces where people can enjoy ordinary activities in their own way – and stay out as late as they like!”
Voices from Bedford
Participants from Gig Buddies Bedford say being able to enjoy the same freedom as others is about more than just a night out – it’s about being treated like adults.
“Being told I have to go home before the night is over makes me feel like I’m not an adult,” said Blaise.
“We are human beings and adults,” added Lee.
One Gig Buddy participant, who asked not to be named, described the disappointment of having to leave last summer’s Bedford Park Concerts early.
“People from my house got tickets to see Tom Jones, but had to go home before he came on because the staff’s shifts were finishing.”
National campaign
The Stay Up Late campaign aims to challenge these restrictions and promote change across the support sector.
The charity said: “A night out shouldn’t be a luxury. Going to bed early when you don’t want to isn’t normal. We’re asking everyone to pick a day and stay up late for something that matters.
“People are still being told when to go to bed. Support workers are still stuck to rigid rotas. And too many are denied the right to do what the rest of us take for granted.”
Stay Up Late Week follows on from last year’s successful National Stay Up Late Day. This year’s week-long campaign gives groups across the UK more time to get involved – from hosting late-night parties and gigs to simply staying out and socialising past the usual curfew.
To find out more about Gig Buddies Bedford, visit: livingitup.org
To learn more about the Stay Up Late campaign, head to: stayuplate.org
