Lived experience autism volunteer roles

Join our Board of Trustees

We are seeking new Trustees to join our Board and contribute their skills and experience. We are particularly looking for applications from parents and carers whose children attend our Camden Square and Fairfield playcentres. 
 
The trustees are responsible for the administration of the charity, and in contributing to strategies that will future-proof the organisation and help to maintain or improve its CQC and Ofsted ratings. 

The people we’re looking for

We are particularly interested in candidates with
strengths in the following areas:

PACE is seeking to grow its board by recruiting up to 5 new trustees, including a Chair. Our
Trustees need to have the following essential qualities:

• Commitment to giving children and young people in Camden a better start in life
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Willingness to act in the best interests of the organisation
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good independent judgement and work effectively as a Board member
• Sense of humour

Knowledge and experience in:

• Inclusion and disability
• Safeguarding
• Fundraising and income generation
• Finance and compliance
• Governance
• Education, OFSTED and EYFS frameworks
• Facilities management, property and tenure
• Human resources
• Legal expertise
• Play provision

We particularly welcome applicants from an ethnic minority and those who are disabled or the parent of a disabled child, or parents of our service users, as we aim for our Board to be as representative as possible of our beneficiaries. 

Arts and Crafts Volunteer

About the Role

We are looking for enthusiastic and creative Arts and Crafts Volunteers to support people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss to take part in enjoyable and meaningful arts and crafts activities. This rewarding role provides an opportunity to share your creativity, build confidence in others, and help create a fun and inclusive environment where everyone can express themselves.

The Difference You Will Make

As an Arts and Crafts Volunteer, you will help people develop new skills, express their creativity, increase their confidence, and build social connections. Your support can make a significant difference by reducing isolation, encouraging participation, and helping individuals achieve their personal goals while having fun.

 What You Will Do

• Support and encourage people to participate in arts and crafts activities.
• Help set up and tidy away materials and equipment.
• Assist individuals to complete creative projects at their own pace.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and positive atmosphere.
• Encourage social interaction and conversation during sessions.
• Support staff to ensure activities are safe and enjoyable.
• Share ideas for new arts and crafts activities where appropriate.

 What We Are Looking For

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. You do not need to be an artist or have professional experience—just enthusiasm and a willingness to help others.

We are looking for people who are:

• Friendly, patient, and reliable.
• Creative and enthusiastic about arts and crafts.
• Good listeners with effective communication skills.
• Respectful of diversity and inclusion.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Passionate about helping people achieve their potential.

Requirements

Successful volunteers will be required to:

• Complete an enhanced DBS check.
• Provide two satisfactory references.
• Complete some online training
• Follow SeeAbility's policies and procedures, including safeguarding and health and safety requirements.

About SeeAbility

SeeAbility is a specialist charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss to live ambitious lives. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their goals, develop independence, and be part of their community.

Volunteers play a vital role in helping us deliver meaningful opportunities and experiences for the people we support.

Volunteer Dog Fosterer

Could you offer a safe and loving home to an assistance dog in training?

We are looking for volunteer dog fosterers who can provide a calm, supportive home environment for one of our dogs or puppies in training.

Fostering plays an important part in helping our dogs grow in confidence, develop routines, and experience everyday family life as they prepare for their future role.

There is no cost to you. We provide food, vet care, toys, equipment, and holiday cover.

We have puppy fostering opportunities available for people based across England. These are usually longer-term placements, often lasting around 6 to 9 months.

We also offer an evenings and weekends dog fostering option for people who live in Congleton or within around a 30-minute drive of our head office at CW12 3LN.

This option may suit people who are out during the working day but could care for a dog in training during evenings, overnight, and on some weekends. For this role, you would collect the dog in the evening and drop them back the following morning, with day care provided from our Congleton head office.

Evening and weekend dog fostering placements usually last between 2 and 6 months.

Whether you are helping raise a puppy for the longer term, or offering evening and weekend care to a dog in training, you will be giving them a safe and supportive home as they prepare for their future.

Join The Baked Bean Charity Board of Trustees!

Are you passionate about inclusion, equality, and creating lasting social impact?

The Baked Bean Charity is looking for dedicated and experienced individuals to join our Board of Trustees as we embark on a period of strategy development.

This is a unique opportunity to use your skills and expertise to help shape the future of a vibrant charity that supports more than 170 people with learning disabilities every week.

Why Join Us?

As a Trustee, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a real and visible difference to people's lives
• Champion the voices of people with learning disabilities
• Help guide the strategic direction of a growing charity
• Use your professional expertise to strengthen and develop our organisation
• Work alongside a passionate and committed Board and leadership team.

We're Looking For People Who:

• Believe strongly in inclusion, equality, and social justice
• Are committed to improving opportunities for people with learning disabilities
• Have strong relationship-building and networking skills
• Bring a proactive approach and a willingness to contribute
• Can dedicate approximately 2–3 hours per month to trustee responsibilities.

Skills and Experience We Need

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising
• Charity or business development
• Marketing and communications
• Legal services
• Human Resources

Previous experience as a charity trustee is welcomed but not essential.

Available Trustee Roles

We have two Trustee posts available

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates will:

• Understand the responsibilities and legal duties of charity trustees
• Be passionate about equality, inclusion, and empowering people with learning disabilities
• Be committed to making decisions that put the needs of our service users first
• Support our mission of delivering outstanding, person-centred services

Time Commitment

• Board meetings take place approximately every 6 weeks
• Meetings last approximately 2 hours
• Most meetings alternate between online and in person in Wimbledon
• The role is voluntary and unpaid, although reasonable expenses can be reimbursed

About The Baked Bean Charity

The Baked Bean Charity is a vibrant and innovative organisation dedicated to promoting social inclusion for people with learning disabilities.

Our wide-ranging activities include:

• Dance, Drama, Choir and DJing
• Zumba, Boxing and other sports activities
• Social clubs, holidays and community events
• Theatre in Education programmes that help businesses, schools and community organisations improve understanding, accessibility and inclusion
• Fledgling Film and TV agency

Everything we do is centred around helping people achieve their goals, build confidence, develop friendships and live happy, fulfilled lives.

Based in Wandsworth, we support people from across South London and surrounding boroughs, creating opportunities, breaking down barriers and challenging preconceptions every day.

We Welcome Diverse Voices

The Baked Bean Charity is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, especially those whose perspectives are currently underrepresented in charity governance.

Join us and help create a more inclusive future for people with learning disabilities!

Can you spare 3 hours a week to make a difference to the lives of children? Home-Start Volunteers offer support, friendship and practical help to families.

We are looking for compassionate, non-judgemental and caring individuals to join our community of volunteers to share their parenting experiences and knowledge with families. Home-Start is one of the leading family support charities in the UK and Home-Start Warrington and Cheshire work in Northwich, Warrington and Winsford. Our volunteers provide a weekly, one-to-one home-visiting service. We help families from all backgrounds, with at least one child in the household under the age of 5 years, through their most challenging times.

Your role will be to offer support to a family you are matched with and support them in the way that they would like: this may include help with practical tasks such as getting out of the house, attending appointments, an extra pair of hands on a trip to the park or a playgroup, role-modelling how to play with children or helping to get organised. It could also involve empathising and supporting through emotional issues in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. All visits are a maximum of three hours, once per week and all take place Monday to Thursday, between 9am and 4pm (and only when our office is open).

Home Start also deliver targeted groups to support families, a place for families to connect, learn and play together. Volunteers support Home Start staff to deliver groups for families – from helping to set up/clear away, role-modelling playing with the children to parents and offering friendly emotional support to parents.

We will train you to Home Start Warrington and Cheshire standards of excellence. The training is free and is delivered by a combination of online modules and four, weekly, face to face sessions with one of our Family Support Coordinators. 

The course will cover 

The role of a Home-Start volunteer

Values, attitudes and inclusivity

Confidentiality

Listening and communication

Meeting the needs of families and children

Safeguarding

Our next volunteer course of preparation is due to start in September. We offer the course in two locations - Warrington on Tuesday's or Winsford on Thursday's.

Volunteers will receive ongoing support and supervision from our Family Support Coordinators and there are opportunities for further training. Your experience, attributes and competencies will be recognised, and you will have the opportunity to develop them further.

Home-Start Warrington and Cheshire is committed to safer recruitment practise as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults. Any offer of a voluntary role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, two satisfactory references and to have completed our preparation course and signed our Code of Conduct and relevant policies and procedures before they will be able to volunteer with a family or at one of our groups or events.

Make a difference for children in Northwich, Warrington and Winsford and enquire today.

As Volunteer Company Secretary, you will be the "conscience of the charity," ensuring that our Trustee and Executive Team operates within its legal and regulatory framework to ensure our beneficiaries receive the highest standard of care and support. 

This is a vital role at the heart of the charity’s operations and offers the opportunity to help shape the governance of a high-impact charity. 

You will provide the bridge between the Board and the executive team, contributing directly to the Trust’s mission by underpinning strong governance and accountability at Board level. By ensuring compliance, transparency, and well-run meetings, you will support the Trustee and executive team to make informed strategic decisions that enhance opportunities, independence, and wellbeing for adults with neuro-disabilities. 

You will:  

• Manage our core administration, ensuring governance and compliance documents, records and processes are kept up to date; including managing filings with Companies House and the Charity Commission, and managing the conflicts of interest register.
• Support the Board and CEO with meeting management; helping to prepare agendas, minutes, board packs and maintain a robust rolling action log.
• Ensure good governance, keeping us aligned with legal and regulatory requirements; always advising best practice and updating the board on the Charity Governance Code.
• Support the Trustee onboarding process, helping us to stay structured and efficient. 
• Be the organisational backbone, helping Minstead Trust to stay steady, safe and well run.

What are we looking for?  

• Commitment to our Mission: an understanding of, or interest in, the challenges faced by those living with neuro-disabilities and a willingness to lead according to our values.  
• Detail-Oriented: a "right first time" approach to legal documentation.  
• Discretion: the ability to handle sensitive clinical or financial information with absolute confidentiality.  
• Ability to think creatively and strategically and exercise good, independent judgement. 

About you: 

• You’re someone who loves order, clarity and good organisation. 
• You’re reliable, detail focused and calm under pressure. 
• You have prior experience as a Company Secretary, Governance Officer, or Senior Administrator, ideally within the UK charity or public sector. (Essential) 
• You have a high level of digital literacy (e.g., Board portals, MS Teams/Zoom, SharePoint).  
• You have exceptional minute-taking skills and the ability to synthesize complex discussions into concise, professional records.  
• You care deeply about people and want to use your skills to make a real difference. 
• You’re an effective team player. 
• You’re simply brilliant at keeping things running smoothly!

This role is voluntary, but you will be supported by a professional team across Finance, People & Culture and Administration to ensure you are able to operate effectively.  Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed. 

About us: 

Our Vision at Minstead Trust is to live in a society where people with neuro-disabilities enjoy fulfilling lives of their own choosing.

Our Mission is to support them to fully develop their individual potential by providing opportunities, enhancing life skills, ensuring informed choice, and influencing society 

We encourage all our volunteers to uphold our values and to embrace who we are:  

We appreciate each person. Everyone is different – we respect and celebrate this.

We’re always learning. We all have something to offer and more to learn.

We’re always improving. Striving to give our best and to have more impact.

We push for change. We will challenge society to be fully inclusive.

We find the joy in everyday life. We have the freedom to be ourselves and enjoy what we do. 

Do you enjoy meeting new people?  Would you like to share your time on evenings and weekend? 
 
We are looking for a friendly female volunteer who would like to socialise and build a friendship with a lady we support in Crawley! 

“Hi! I live in Crawley, and I am supported by Dimensions. I love music and I play the keyboard in a band! I would love a buddy to spend time with, share my love of music with and to join me at evening social clubs” 

If you would like to make a difference and make a great friend along the way, we would love to hear from you! 

Activities will include: 

• Sharing your time and enjoying trips out in the evenings and weekends.The lady we support has a bus pass and can travel around the area and beyond. 

• Enjoying music and evening social clubs

• Providing company, friendship and fun 

 
We are looking for volunteers who are: 

• Friendly, chatty and a good listener 

• Happy to be out and about 

• Comfortable chatting with people with learning disabilities and autism. 

• Reliable/dependable and willing to commit to volunteer regularly (exact times/days can be discussed) 

A DBS check and two-character references will be required for this role.

What you’ll gain from being a Dimensions volunteer: 
 
Dimensions provide support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities across the UK. 
 
Our volunteers play a vital role in our work and in return, we support them with: 

• Access to free online training (with access to 800 plus courses) 

• Free membership to an online shopping discount scheme 

• Comprehensive support from professional, friendly and trained Dimensions staff 

• Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed at manager’s discretion

• An opportunity to gain real experience in the social care sector 

Want to apply for this role? 

 If you’d like to be a Dimensions volunteer, please get in touch!

Childline Volunteer Counsellor- Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.

What you’ll do

You’ll volunteer in our Leeds Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support.

What you’ll get

You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions.

What we’ll need from you

Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.

We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.

Who’s right for the role?

While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.

• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Great communication skills
• Empathetic and perceptive
• able to think on your feet
• works well within a team
• emotional resilience

Why volunteer with us?

Not only will you gain valuable experience throughout your volunteering journey, you’ll also have access to useful resources including a catalogue of online training, discount portal and NSPCC inMind – an online mindfulness resource.

You’ll be fully supported throughout your volunteer journey with us and will have a dedicated key contact should you have any questions along the way.