As part of our work funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, we are looking for volunteers to join us as Volunteer Autism Employment Mentors and Peer Support Volunteers. For both roles, we will be providing free training sessions in 2025/26.

Volunteer Autism Employment Mentor role 

If the mentee is seeking support for recruitment, job retention or general employment support that is specifically for autistic adults and addressing autistic needs, interests and goals, then they may be able to access one-to-one support through our Volunteer Autism Employment Mentor Support service.

This role involves being matched with an autistic adult, the mentee, helping them to:

  • Explore autistic routes to employment and inclusive recruitment support, as well as practise.
  • Identify workplace adjustments, needs and structure to help them achieve their work goals in an accessible and supportive way.
  • Discuss employment signposting and support that will be helpful for their employment needs.
  • Implement coping strategies for day-to-day in the work environment and how to address autistic burnout in the workplace.

Volunteer mentors can help with a wide range of challenges or concerns an autistic adult may be facing. Meetings are usually held every two weeks with the mentee. Volunteer Mentors do not need to have an autism diagnosis. 

Autism Peer Support Volunteer role

This is where a volunteer autistic adult is paired with another autistic adult to help with:

  • Exploring sensory differences and develop strategies to manage daily life (including completing personalised resources)
  • Identifying communication needs and implement adjustments, or strategies e.g. travel needs flashcards, or a communication profile
  • Discussing how to share their diagnosis with friends, family, or colleagues
  • Talk about what autism means for them and their identity

These are just a few examples, our peer support volunteers can help with a wide range of challenges or concerns they may be facing. This service is for autistic adults in Leeds who would like to receive autistic peer support.

To be a Volunteer Peer Support Worker, you need to be an autistic adult yourself.

Training Sessions 

For anyone who would like to volunteer in either role, we are running free training sessions this winter.

Dates and information will be confirmed once you have been referred into the Volunteering and Mentoring service at Leeds Autism AIM. The three sessions will include:

  • The Advonet Group’s Volunteer Induction
  • Autism Awareness and Working with Autistic People
  • Volunteer Mentor Induction or Volunteer Peer Support Induction

To volunteer in these roles, you need to attend all three sessions. They will be co-delivered by autistic adults, including members of our staff team.

Dates and times are to be confirmed, but the training will be at The Advonet Group office, at this address:

The Advonet Group
Unity Business Centre
26 Roundhay Road
Leeds
LS7 1AB

Information on how to get there, including parking and nearby bus stops, is available here: Contact The Advonet Group.

If you would like to volunteer with us or have any questions, please fill in The Advonet Group’s Volunteer Enquiry Form by clicking on the button below.

We have detailed descriptions for both roles available on The Advonet Group’s website. To see them, please click on the buttons below.

For any questions, you can either email [email protected] or call The Advonet Group office on 0113 244 0606 and ask for Autism AIM Volunteering.