Speak Out Essex peer volunteer
Our team in Essex is looking for volunteers with lived experience of autism to help co-produce groups as part of the All Age Autism Partnership Board with Essex County Council.
The Board looks at things such as autism diagnosis, accommodation, employment, education, and training.
What does a Speak Out Essex peer volunteer do?
Volunteers will join Speak Out Leaders and facilitators to co-produce working groups to look at what is most important to autistic people.
This includes things like diagnosis, accommodation, employment, education and training. You can choose to be involved with one group, or more.
These groups will be for autistic people, their families and carers, and professionals. The people in these groups will work as equals to come up with suggestions of how to improve services.
As a Speak Out Essex peer volunteer, you might:
- promote the project in the community, telling people what we do
- share your life experience
- help to plan and design the project’s work and resources
- join visits to short breaks services
- support Thriving Together at larger community events
By supporting people, I got to meet people from many walks of life and learn from their wisdom and experience.
What skills will I need?
We are looking for people with these skills:
- having a lived experience of autism
- good communication skills
- working as part of a team
- reliability
- a commitment to the values of VoiceAbility
These skills would be helpful but are not essential for you to volunteer with us:
- a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
- ability to use Microsoft Teams for online meetings, or willingness to learn
What will I get from volunteering?
As a volunteer you won’t be paid, but you will receive excellent training, paid expenses and access to our benefits programme.
- the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and gain experience in your role
- a chance to make a positive difference to people
- induction training and other learning opportunities that will help you in your role
- the opportunity to help us develop our volunteering work
- support from staff
- a reference if you complete over six months of volunteering
- reasonable expenses and travel costs in line with VoiceAbility volunteer policy
Volunteer
See Speak Out Essex peer volunteer roles at VoiceAbility
If you prefer, email us at volunteering@voiceability.org.
You can also call 0300 303 1660.