Parent to Parent Emotional Support Helpline
Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who understands
Our Parent to Parent Emotional Support Service gives you a safe, confidential space to talk openly with a trained volunteer who is also a parent of an autistic child or adult. Their lived experience means they understand many of the emotions and challenges families can face.
Whether you're feeling worried, frustrated, lonely, or simply in need of a listening ear, we're here to help.
What we offer
Unlike a general helpline, the service offers one-to-one emotional support from a trained parent volunteer with lived experience. They provide:
- empathy and understanding without judgement
- time to talk with someone who has faced similar situations
- emotional support that can help you feel less alone and more able to cope.
The service offers emotional support rather than specialist advice. Volunteers cannot advise on education, benefits, social care, behaviour, communication, relationships or other specific issues.
If you’re looking for practical information and guidance, try Ask ASH (Autism Support Helper) Answer a few multiple-choice questions to find information, stories and services on our website that match your situation. You can also browse our Advice and Guidance section.
Is this service right for me?
This service is for:
- Parents of autistic children
- Parents of autistic adults
- Primary carers of autistic children or adults
You do not need to be in crisis. You can contact us whenever it would help to talk honestly with another parent who understands.
You're not alone.
Every day, parents and carers contact us because they need someone who truly understands the challenges, emotions and realities of supporting an autistic child or adult. Our volunteers are here to listen. Use the form below to start the process.
How it works
1. Complete the form above
Tell us a little about what you would like to talk about. Required questions help us arrange the call; everything else is optional.
2. We’ll arrange your call
Our team will review your form and pass your request to a trained parent volunteer.
3. You'll receive a support call
A volunteer will phone you so you can talk through what is happening at your own pace. They will listen and offer emotional support, rather than advice or solutions.
We aim for a volunteer to contact you within 12 working days. It may take longer when the service is particularly busy.
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Parents who have used the service say that talking to a parent volunteer can help them:- feel less alone
- feel listened to without judgement
- have space to talk honestly
- feel understood by someone with similar experiences
- feel more able to cope
- have a clearer sense of next steps.
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- A friendly, informal conversation with another parent.
- You can talk about your feelings, experiences and worries.
- You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
- You will usually do most of the talking.
- The volunteer may share something that helped their own family where this feels relevant.
- They will not provide specific advice or tell you what to do.
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The call may come from a withheld number. If the volunteer cannot reach you, they email you with general information and explain how to request another referral.
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The Parent to Parent Emotional Support Service is not a crisis service.If you need urgent support, or if you are concerned about your own safety or the safety of someone else, please visit our Urgent Help page for immediate support options.
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Taking the first step can be difficult, but you don't have to face things alone. Complete the form above and we will arrange an emotional support call from a trained parent volunteer.
How you can help
- Donate towards the cost of providing the Parent to Parent Emotional Support Service.
- Check out our volunteering roles. Any opportunities with Parent to Parent will be listed here.