The scheme makes the most of the wealth of experience, knowledge and insight that parents have. All our parent volunteers share the determination to offer help and support to other parents. They have all experienced the impact of autism in their own family and want to do something to support others in similar situations. Back to the top How it works We now have a UK-wide network of trained parent volunteers with a freephone national number. The Parent to Parent answerline is staffed by a rota of parent volunteers who cover shifts that are convenient to them, usually a few hours a week.
Parents can phone the freephone number at any time and leave a message and contact number.
Calls are directed to the nearest scheme. The parent volunteer who is next on duty will pick up the message and phone the caller back. The cost of the call is paid for by the Volunteering Network. Recruitment, selection and training of volunteers is provided by the relevant Volunteering Network staff member. On going training and support for the volunteers is offered by the voluntary co-ordinator along with the Volunteering Network staff.