Nuerodiverse Support group Volunteer - Online

About Mary Frances Trust

Mary Frances Trust is a Surrey-based charity supporting people with mental health and emotional wellbeing. We offer a variety of services to adults (16+) including wellbeing courses and advice, a range of activities and interest groups, peer support, self-help groups, individual support and volunteering opportunities. We engage volunteers from a variety of backgrounds to help us by assisting the staff team to deliver our work to clients that seek our support, across Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Banstead and Elmbridge.

How you can help

Working closely with our member of staff / facilitator, this role will complement and support the service delivery of our Online Autism Peer Support Group.  This will be a rewarding role for someone seeking a regular opportunity.  The group runs on a Monday each week.   This group provides a safe, non-judgemental environment for people to meet and talk.  The first hour is usually taken up with individual attendee ‘check ins’ where members can ask for input on positive coping strategies and ways of resolving certain issues they may be facing.   

This role would suit someone with good people skills, common sense and the ability to get alongside others in a relaxed setting.   It includes a small amount of time either side of the group meeting to brief and debrief with the facilitator.  Due to the nature of our work, this role would suit someone wanting a more medium to long term involvement.  Some clients may have communication and confidence difficulties due to a number of health-related issues.  

Key Points

•Weekly involvement

•Mondays 6:50 to 8:45pm  (7:00 to 8:30pm service)

•Online

•Medium to long term involvement (9-12 months plus)

•Typically attracts 6 – 12 attendees

What we ask of you

•Support the member of Staff / facilitator to run the weekly group

•Sign in, welcome and help attendees feel relaxed and included

•Support the staff / facilitator with any difficulty that may arise

•Treat all client information as confidential

•Respect the need for personal & professional boundaries with clients

•Report any safeguarding concerns to staff in a timely manner to ensure clients are able to access the support they need (safeguarding training will be provided) 

Benefits you will receive

• Being part of a friendly, caring and supportive service

• Regular involvement in your community

• Making a difference to the lives of other people

• Gain practical experience of working alongside people with mental health 

• Training relevant to the role

• Reimbursement of travel expenses

What skills do I need?

Qualities that make a successful Autism Peer Support Group Volunteer

• Experience or lived experience

• Good interpersonal skills 

• Reliable, friendly, flexible

• Confident, positive, patient, empathetic, compassionate

• Ability to ask for help (if you don’t understand)

• Ability to work as part of a small team

• Passionate about supporting other people

Please note:  

You do not need to have any previous volunteer experience to volunteer for this role although the ability to get on with people and communicate well with others is key.