Autism Help Volunteer

Are you passionate about helping people?

Become an Autism Help Volunteer to provide vital information and advice to autistic people, their families and supporters when they need it most.

Our brand-new enquiry and signposting service will work alongside our new digital support tool to give people the information they need, when they need it.

As a volunteer, you’ll:

• contact autistic people and their supporters by phone and email
• use your knowledge and skills to support others
• provide information, advice and helpful strategies
• join a compassionate, supportive team
• gain valuable skills with expert training
• volunteer from home with flexible hours
• access 24/7 support through our Employee Assistance Programme

We welcome applications from anyone with lived experience, including autistic people, their families, and those who support them, although this is not essential for the role.

All volunteers must have access to their own computer or device that can run Microsoft applications.

What is Autism Help?

Autism Help is an umbrella term for the charity’s advice and guidance provision. The enquiry and signposting service is a key part of this provision and is delivered by trained volunteers and staff who help autistic people live a fulfilled life on their terms by having access to the information they need, when they need it.

“Thanks ever so much for sending this information. It's really helpful and very reassuring. I feel like I've been listened to and understood - this means a lot to me.”

Location Home Based - you must live in the United Kingdom to do this role

Time Commitment:

At least four hours per week. You can choose which days suit you around your other commitments. You will need to arrange mutually suitable times for volunteering with your volunteer manager in advance (the days and times you will be dealing with enquiries).

What skills do I need?

We like volunteers to:

• commit to giving at least 4 hours of your time per week
• have a strong desire to help and the motivation to make a difference
• ensure good communication with autistic people, their parents/ carers, other enquirers and with the National Autistic Society team
• be reliable, consistent and dependable
• be able to clarify what the enquirer is trying to achieve: effective listening skills are essential
• be able to self-motivate and work on their own initiative organise, prioritise and manage their own time
• have a positive and flexible approach
• be able to deal with people, using tact and diplomacy
• be able to show empathy while maintaining professionalism and clear boundaries
• be able to remain calm, even in stressful situations
• have use of own computer or telephone compatible with National Autistic Society systems
• be confident using IT (eg Microsoft Word and Outlook)
• Experience:
• prior knowledge of autism through lived experience, volunteering or work is desirable, but not essential
• previous experience of handling confidential documentation and creating own correspondence is desirable but not essential.
• we welcome applications from disabled people and those with chronic health conditions who meet the criteria.
• we are particularly keen to encourage applications from autistic people.
• we will make reasonable adjustments according to individual needs

When do I need to be available?