Mentoring for Autistic Adults Programme Volunteer

**Who we are**:
The National Autistic Society is here to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.

We transform lives by providing support, information and practical advice for the 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers. Since 1962, autistic people have turned to us at key moments or challenging times in their lives, be it getting a diagnosis, going to school or finding work.

We change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face. We also work closely with businesses, local authorities and government to help them provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws.

**Why we need you**

Our Mentoring service aims to provide 1-to-1 mentoring to autistic adults aged 25 and over who live in the Glasgow City Council area.

Those taking part will be encouraged to identify goals and will be matched with a mentor to work together towards these goals over an agreed time frame.

Goals are personal to the participant and might relate to social or leisure activities, employment or whatever the individual wishes to work on.

Mentoring is a fantastic way to improve confidence and develop new skills for both the mentee and mentor.

**What you will be doing**
- Taking part in autism understanding training to prepare you for the role
- Setting and review goals and objectives with mentee and Programme Co-ordinator
- Attending regular meetings where you will receive advice and support from the Programme Co-ordinator
- Arrange your own weekly meetings with mentee
- Maintaining the boundaries of mentoring - this will be outlined in your mentoring agreement and during your induction to the role.
- Volunteering within organisational boundaries (i.e., confidentiality, vulnerable adult protection).
- Completing all necessary paperwork (i.e., weekly meeting record forms and expense form.

**Skills experience and qualities useful for the role (but not essential)**
- You do not need to have prior knowledge of autism as training will be provided.
- Life experience/skills to share
- Reliable, consistent, dependable and trustworthy
- Empathy and understanding
- Open-minded and willing to learn
- Good communication and Interpersonal skills
- Good level of self-awareness and own needs
- An ability to volunteer alone using initiative & common sense
- We would like you to volunteer for between 9 - 12 months in this role after training to provide stability and continuity to the person you are mentoring

**When and where**
- This role will be flexible and volunteering hours will depend on your availability and that of the individual you are mentoring.
- On average we would like you to commit 2 hours per week.
- Volunteering takes place both in person and on Microsoft Teams. Meetings in person are held in Glasgow City Centre.
- We would like volunteers to be involved in both online and face to face dependant on the mentee’s individual needs.
- Virtual activities take place on Microsoft Teams; therefore, you will need access to a computer/tablet, a good internet connection and a quiet space away from other people

**Support**
- You will receive online autism training
- You will receive project specific information about what you will be doing.
- Regular meetings with the Programme Co-ordinator to discuss progress and your volunteer role.
- All agreed expenses will be reimbursed.
- We have regular team activities where you will have to opportunity to meet other volunteers doing this role.

**What you could get out of it**
- Improve the lives of autistic people in your local area
- Access free training and learn mentoring techniques and specific skills for your personal development
- Meet new people and other volunteers
- A great opportunity to add to your CV

It is a requirement of this role that you will be asked to complete a PVG check

Whilst we are able to make reasonable adjustments for volunteers you will need to be able to volunteer independently as we are not able to offer one to one support.

**Applicants from Glasgow and surrounding areas are preferred** so that meetings can take place in-person. Often participants prefer to be mentored both online and in-person, depending on their own needs.