Our befrienders are trained volunteers who spend a few hours each week with a child or adult with autism, or their family. Some spend time in the family home, others go out and about. All make a huge difference.
Watch our interview below with Michelle, who has three children with autism, to find out what befriending means to her.
Having a befriender makes a huge difference to our family life. She's a really important part of our support network and the boys love her to bits.
Michelle
Who can have a befriender?
Anyone who is affected by autism (including Asperger syndrome) can apply to have a befriender:
- adults and children with an autism spectrum disorder
- siblings
- mothers and fathers.
Although we cannot guarantee to find a befriender for everyone, if there is a scheme in your area we will do our best to match you with the right volunteer.
It is such a relief to us that she has someone understanding who is more of her own age to talk to.
Parent
How does befriending work?
We recruit and train volunteers to support people on the autism spectrum and their families. The volunteers are not experts, but they are friendly people who are willing to learn and who would like to do something to help.
If you have a befriender, we will pay for the volunteer to travel to your home or wherever you decide to meet. Any other expenses are normally met by the family.
His befriender is like a big brother to him, and they do fun things together that a teenager doesn't want to do with his mum.
Parent
- be an extra pair of hands on a shopping trip
- take a child out to the park or for a walk
- go along with a teenager to a youth club or aerobics class
- meet up with an adult for lunch or to go and see a film
- spend time listening and talking to a member of the family
- offer the family a short break by spending time with a child in the home.
Having a befriender has been brilliant. I get a chance to spend time with my other children, as well as a chance to get a precious few hours to myself.
Parent