The brewery, based out of Leith, launched the Drinklusion fund in 2018 which sees 2p from each can of beer sold go towards charity initiatives.
Gig Buddies with Thera Trust supports adults with a learning disability and autistic adults to live an active social life, tackling social isolation. The project supports people in Edinburgh, and across the central belt of Scotland by pairing project members to like-minded volunteers to attend events they both love together and develop a natural relationship. Gig Buddies also work closely with local arts organisations and venues, supporting and consulting on access for neurodivergent audience members and offering social opportunities to their members.
Sam Maggs, Gig Buddies with Thera Trust’s project manager says:
It’s incredibly exciting to have this kind of support from Pilot. Their commitment to supporting local causes is clear to see, and they’re going to be such a great help in spreading word of our project wider across the country. They’ve also already treated us to a brewery tour and delicious tasting session!
Matt Johnson, co-founder of Pilot says:
The fantastic work that Gig Buddies does perfectly embodies the spirit of why we set Drinklusion up – bringing people together. There’s an obvious correlation between beer and socialising, so the decision to support Gig Buddies through the Drinklusion fund was an absolute no-brainer.
Don, a Gig Buddies member in Edinburgh who attended TRSNMT Festival with the charity in 2022 and 2023 says:
The times my support works doesn’t allow me to do something like this. Gig Buddies helps me do what I want to do, and that means a lot to me.
Pilot Beer’s Drinklusion fund currently supports Gig Buddies with Thera Trust, Bikes for Refugees, Stay Up Late, Leith Theatre, and EHFM.
