You will connect with members of the Running online branch through Teams and the Facebook page we have set up for you. These provide a safe and secure platform for branch members to connect with each other. What you will be doing You will act as a co-leader of the Running online branch with one other volunteer. Acting as a joint coordinator of the branch with the second co-leader. Creating posts on the Facebook page to keep engagement up and encourage interaction. (We recommend at least 3 posts a week). Taking responsibility for organising and planning the Teams meetings. (We recommend at least one Teams meeting per month). Monitoring the chat box during a Teams meeting and responding to any questions or comments. As co-leader of the branch you will be responsible for making sure everyone at the Teams meeting abides by the branch rules/guidelines e.g. not sharing personal contact details, that everyone in the branch listens to and respects the thoughts and opinions of other branch members. Contacting branch members via the Facebook page or email to let them know when the next meeting will be and give them any information they may need. Facilitating to make sure that those who wish to attend the Teams meeting have the information they need and understand the guidelines for online branches Providing admin support to the branch. This includes: responsibility for the branch emails, responding to enquires, and contacting new members. The skills you need Reasonable IT skills. Confident using a computer to send and receive emails and to connect to others online. Knowledge of Facebook or willingness to learn. Access to a computer or tablet and a good internet connect. Interest in running would be beneficial but not essential Ability to listen and involve others in the online branch A quiet space where you can be involved in the online meetings without interruptions from others in your household. What's in it for you Access free training and learn new skills. Meet new people. A worthwhile achievement to add to your CV. Having fun whilst carrying out a valuable role. Volunteering can keep you mentally stimulated and provide you with a sense of purpose. This is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity and will allow you to make a difference to those you are supporting and their families. When and where • Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role. • Some groups may take place in an evening and some during the daytime, branches can be flexible on when there meeting take place to suit the members of that branch. Support • Designated Senior Branch Engagement Officer to answer any queries and provide support. • Written guidance on a range of branch communications. • You must complete any requested eLearning modules before you start volunteering. Your Senior Branch Engagement Officer will explain what you need to complete. • Insurance cover for all branch activities. • Agreed expenses reimbursed for attendance at any event organised by the branch support team

Support groups are essential for parents and families seeking support. They provide an opportunity for families to meet others who are also living with a family member who has autism, they provide a safe environment for people with autism and their families to attend and meet and they offer an opportunity for families and individuals to share their own experience and listen to others. What you will be doing Ensuring members are informed when there are support groups meetings coming up (via official branch NAS e-mail, social media or text, for example). Advertising the support group (posters, leaflets, etc.) Attending the weekly support group sessions Sharing information (full training will be given). Signposting to other support, professionals, organisations etc. Welcoming new members. Liaising with other volunteers to ensure there is a volunteer present for the duration of the meeting. Accompanying group members in local outings. The skills you need Knowledge and experience of the autism spectrum is an advantage but not essential as we can provide training. Patience and understanding of the needs of others. Good organisational skills. The ability to see the world from a different perspective Approachable. Confident in taking the lead at introducing themselves and speaking to new people attending the group. An ability to make new people feel welcome. What's in it for you Improve support to autistic people and their families in your local area. Build up an understanding of autism by volunteering with autistic people. Access free training and learn new skills. Meet new people. A worthwhile achievement to add to your CV. Having fun whilst carrying out a valuable role. Volunteering can keep you mentally stimulated and provide you with a sense of purpose. This is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity and will allow you to make a difference to those you are supporting and their families. Do you have personal experience with autism and want to make a difference in your local community? Being a few hours a month, this role can fit around your responsibilities and you can decide when you would like to volunteer. We know our volunteers have busy lives and we do our best to fit around you. The role is fully supported by the regional Senior Branch Engagement Officer and the other branch volunteers. You will receive full guidance and training for everything you’ll need to do. How you’ll hear about your application Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive notifications to the email address you apply with. Sometimes the emails we send about your application go into junk folders. We will keep in touch with you through an email address ending in @NAS.goassemble.com, do check your junk folder for confirmation of your application and other messages from us. When and where Specific to the branch Support Designated Senior Branch Engagement Officer to answer any queries and provide support. Written guidance on a range of branch communications. You must complete any requested eLearning modules before you start volunteering. Your Senior Branch Engagement Officer will explain what you need to complete. Insurance cover for all branch activities. Agreed expenses reimbursed for attendance at any event organised by the branch support team

As a Parent Support Group Volunteer, you will host monthly online parents support group, follow NAS branch policies, and provide a friendly face to those coming along to the activities. Parent Support Groups are regular activities but can be flexible to match your lifestyle. Do you have personal experience with autism and want to make a difference in your local community? Being a few hours a month, this role can fit around your responsibilities and you can decide when you would like to volunteer. We know our volunteers have busy lives and we do our best to fit around you. What you will be doing Ensuring members are informed when there are support groups meetings coming up (via official branch NAS e-mail, social media or text, for example). Advertising the support group (posters, leaflets, etc.) Attending the weekly support group sessions. Sharing information (full training will be given). Signposting to other support, professionals, organisations etc. Welcoming new members. Liaising with other volunteers to ensure there is a volunteer present for the duration of the meeting. Accompanying group members in local outings.

Why we want you We are looking for volunteers to get involved in our social groups, they provide a safe opportunity for individuals with autism to socialise with others who are also autistic, share their own experiences and listen to others. They play a vital role in helping to alleviate social isolation for autistic people, improve their confidence and increase social skills What you will be doing At virtual groups The sessions take place on Microsoft Teams Monitoring the chat box and responding to questions/queries posted there Reading aloud comments members have posted in the chat box (as required) Keeping the conversation to the topic being discussed Supporting the group leaders in running the group smoothly Helping to organise and plan activities for the group e.g quizzes etc At Face to Face Meetings Attending the social group Supporting individuals to build their self-coping strategies and promote their self-management Giving all members of the group the opportunity to talk and interact if they wish to Help support self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth of people at the group Building up positive relationships with people at the groups and other volunteers Keeping in touch with the group leader and notifying if you are unable to attend We have 3 different Opportunities for you to get involved in that you can get involved in Coffee Club – This group is aimed at autistic adults aged 26+ it meets online once a month, and we hope to be able hold some face to face meetings soon. We do different activities each month and this may be having a quiz or chatting about a specific topic we would ideally like volunteers aged 26+ for this group NAS Café – this group is for autistic young people age 16 to 24 it meets online once a month and we aim to gain the views of our members and if face to face meetings are important to them then make these events happen whilst being user led. Social Navigation Programme – this group meets for up to 2 hours every week with a rolling 15-week programme. Social Navigation is designed to support autistic young people aged 12-18 years it runs for 15 sessions with fun activity pack's sent out every week to support with social navigation. This programme is designed to support autistic young people to navigate the social world while building existing skills. Social navigation provides you with the opportunity to become more confident, make new connections, grow their skills and have fun! We can let you know more about the different groups and discuss which group you could volunteer with when we have an informal chat with you when you have received your application form. When and where Group times are once a month on a Thursday 11.45am-12.30 during the day time and once a month on Tuesday evening 6 to 6.45pm (these can run over slightly) and Wednesday evenings weekly for 15 weeks 6-7.30pm (will include holiday breaks) We can discuss which of the session day/times would work best for you in our information chat when