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► National Autistic Society Befriending Project

The National Autistic Society champions the rights and interests of all people with autism and aims to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives.

Befriending involves volunteers being trained and supported to provide flexible and quality support to individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASDs).

Befrienders can be matched with a child or an adult affected by autism or could spend time with others in the family. They do a huge variety of things such as taking a child to a ball pool or park, go along with the family shopping to provide an extra pair of hands, play games at home, go to the cinema or maybe meeting an adult for lunch.

Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of a couple of hours a week (although this can be agreed flexibly with the family or individual befriended).

Volunteers have to complete induction training before they befriend. This give volunteers a knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

There are further free training opportunities as the NAS try to provide training on subjects that volunteers request.

Volunteers will gain experience of working with someone affected with ASD and experience of working with children or vulnerable adults.

They will also gain personal development, a boost in self esteem and NAS can provide a reference for volunteers if requested.