Save Money, Change Lives: Vote Stay Up Late in Our June Charity Poll

At My Favourite Voucher Codes, we're dedicated to more than just helping you save money. We believe that savvy shopping can also be a powerful force for good, and that's why our monthly charity poll is at the heart of what we do. Each month, we invite our valued users – people just like you – to help us decide which deserving cause will receive 20% of our profits. For June 2025, we are incredibly proud to shine a spotlight on Stay Up Late, a truly inspiring grassroots charity that is changing lives by fighting for the right to a social life for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.

In a world where many of us take spontaneous nights out, concerts, or social gatherings for granted, it's easy to overlook the systemic barriers that prevent others from enjoying these fundamental aspects of life. Stay Up Late stands at the forefront of challenging these limitations, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their disability, has the choice and opportunity to lead a full, active, and vibrant social life.

The Genesis of a Movement: Understanding Stay Up Late

The story of Stay Up Late is as unique as it is impactful, born from a simple yet profound observation. It began with the punk band Heavy Load, a group composed of musicians with and without learning disabilities. As they toured and played gigs, they consistently noticed a recurring pattern: their fans with learning disabilities would often have to leave performances early, just as the band was hitting its stride. This wasn't due to disinterest but rather rigid, inflexible support worker rotas that mandated a strict "curfew," typically around 9 PM.

This unjust reality sparked a vital question: why should anyone be denied the simple pleasure of staying out late, enjoying live music, or simply being part of the social fabric, merely because of their support needs? From this frustration, the Stay Up Late campaign was launched in 2006, evolving into a registered charity in 2011. Their mission became crystal clear: to challenge the restrictive practices that limit the social lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and to actively create opportunities for genuine social inclusion.

Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that true inclusion goes beyond mere presence; it's about genuine participation, choice, and belonging. It's about empowering individuals to make their own decisions about their leisure time, just as anyone else would.

The Heart of the Mission: How Stay Up Late Transforms Lives

Stay Up Late operates on two crucial fronts, both designed to dismantle barriers and foster richer social lives:

1. Campaigning for Systemic Change

At its core, Stay Up Late is an advocacy powerhouse. They meticulously work to influence policy and commissioning within learning disability services, pushing for a more person-centred approach to care. Their campaigning efforts aim to:

● Dismantle Inflexible Support Systems: They tirelessly highlight how rigid care schedules often dictate, rather than facilitate, the lives of those they support. Their goal is to ensure that support is tailored to individual desires, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity.

● Raise Awareness: Through their campaigns, they educate the wider public, care providers, and policymakers about the importance of social inclusion and the detrimental effects of isolation on mental and physical well-being. They strive to shift perceptions, moving away from a model of care that inadvertently segregates towards one that truly integrates.

● Champion Choice and Control: They advocate for the fundamental right of people with learning disabilities and autistic people to have autonomy over their own lives, including when they go to bed, what social activities they pursue, and with whom they spend their time. This is about dignity, respect, and self-determination.

2. The Gig Buddies Project: Fostering Genuine Friendships

Complementing their advocacy, the Gig Buddies project is Stay Up Late's practical response to the problem of social isolation. Launched in 2013, Gig Buddies is a truly transformative initiative that directly addresses the loneliness experienced by many people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

How Gig Buddies Works:

The premise is elegantly simple yet profoundly effective. Gig Buddies matches adults with learning disabilities and/or autism with volunteers who share similar interests. These interests aren't limited to music; they can span anything from sports events, theatre, cinema, eating out, or even just a shared love for a particular café or a walk in nature. The goal is to facilitate genuine, reciprocal friendships that are not based on a care-provider relationship. Once matched, a Gig Buddy and their volunteer decide together what they want to do. This is a crucial element of empowerment – the person with the learning disability is in control of their social life, making choices about their leisure activities. The volunteers receive comprehensive training and ongoing support from Stay Up Late, ensuring both safety and a positive experience for all.

The Tangible Impact of Gig Buddies:

● Combating Loneliness and Isolation: Statistics from various UK charities, including Mencap and Hft, consistently highlight that people with learning disabilities are disproportionately affected by loneliness. Some reports indicate that over a third of people with a learning disability feel lonely "nearly always or all the time," and a significant percentage rarely socialise. Gig Buddies directly counters this by creating opportunities for regular, meaningful social interaction. Evaluations of the Gig Buddies project have shown remarkable results: 90% of participants reported enjoying having a Gig Buddy, 86% considered their Gig Buddy a friend, and 90% felt less lonely.

● Building Confidence and Independence: Having a Gig Buddy allows individuals to explore new places and experiences, often for the first time, fostering a profound sense of confidence and independence. It enables them to step out of their comfort zones in a supportive environment, leading to personal growth and self-esteem.

● Creating Authentic Friendships: Unlike professional support, Gig Buddies fosters genuine friendships where individuals connect on a personal level, sharing common passions. This "unpaid" relationship is vital for well-being and a sense of belonging. The project champions the idea that everyone should have people in their lives who aren't paid to be there.

● Promoting Community Inclusion: By attending mainstream events, Gig Buddies helps integrate people with learning disabilities into their local communities. This visibility also helps to break down stigmas and promote greater understanding and acceptance among the general public. It challenges the notion that social activities for people with learning disabilities should be separate or segregated.

● Expanding Horizons: From local open mic nights to major music festivals, the range of events Gig Buddies attend is vast. This exposure to diverse cultural and social experiences enriches lives and creates lasting memories.

Stay Up Late has successfully expanded the Gig Buddies model through their "Gig Buddies in a Box" initiative, allowing other organisations across the UK and internationally to replicate their impactful work, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of their approach.

Why Stay Up Late Deserves Your Vote and Our Donation

When you cast your vote for Stay Up Late in the My Favourite Voucher Codes poll this June, you're not just clicking a button; you're actively contributing to a charity that embodies true social justice and human connection. Here's why Stay Up Late is an exceptionally deserving cause:

Your Power to Make a Difference: How to Vote for Stay Up Late

At My Favourite Voucher Codes, we've made it incredibly simple for you to turn your intention into impact. Your vote costs nothing, but its value to Stay Up Late could be immense, helping them secure a significant donation that fuels their life-changing work.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to casting your vote for Stay Up Late:

• Head to our Homepage
• Scroll until you see the poll (on the right hand side or at the bottom of the page)
• Cast your vote for Stay Up Late!

Remember, you don't need to sign up or use any vouchers to cast your vote; it's completely free and straightforward. However, every time you do use a discount code from My Favourite Voucher Codes, you are indirectly increasing the total profit pool from which the winning charity's donation is drawn. So, saving money on your online shopping literally helps us raise more for incredible causes like Stay Up Late!

Conclusion: Shop Smart, Vote Kind, Change Lives

My Favourite Voucher Codes exists to empower you: to save money on your everyday online purchases, and to contribute to meaningful change in the world. This June, as you hunt for the best deals and discounts, we urge you to take just a few seconds to cast your vote for Stay Up Late.

By supporting Stay Up Late, you are endorsing a vision where social isolation is a distant memory for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. You are helping to build a more inclusive society where everyone has the freedom to choose their own social adventures, forge genuine friendships, and truly belong.

Your vote is a powerful statement. Let's collectively ensure that Stay Up Late receives the support they need to continue their invaluable work. Visit My Favourite Voucher Codes today, make your vote count, and help us light up the social lives of countless individuals. Together, we can make a difference, one vote, and one saving, at a time.