Volunteer With STAND

It is all thanks to you!

To the arts and crafts helpers, listeners, email writers, researchers, van-drivers, cheerers, to those making tea and coffee for the parents and carers, making someone laugh, giving them a shoulder to cry on, to the ones who are with us for a minute, an hour or for life, to those who are giving something back or paying a kindness forward, and to everyone in between, we want to say thank you on behalf of us and, more importantly, all the families you make a massive difference to every day you volunteer.

Together, we’re here to help every family with neurodivergent/potentially neurodivergent children live in a community where they are included, supported and empowered.

Ready to join us? Become a volunteer today and help make a real difference in the lives of neurodivergent children and their families. Email us at info@standuk.co.uk to register your interest. 

Volunteering with STAND is more than just giving your time - it’s about being part of a community that supports, empowers, and includes neurodivergent children and their families. Our volunteers are the backbone of our charity, helping us deliver workshops, run social groups, organise events, and provide one-to-one support. Every hour you give helps make life easier, brighter, and more inclusive for families.

Whether you have experience working with children, a passion for advocacy, or simply want to give back to your community, there’s a place for you at STAND. We welcome people from all walks of life, and no prior experience is necessary - just a willingness to help and a kind heart. We provide all the training, guidance, and support you need to feel confident and empowered in your role.

Volunteering with STAND is also a chance to connect with like-minded people, develop new skills, and see the tangible difference you make in families’ lives. From leading activities to helping behind the scenes, your contribution is valued and celebrated. Together, we live out our three pillars of Inclusion, Support and Empowerment, creating a community where everyone can thrive.

In our approach to the recruitment, management and support of our volunteers, STAND:

• recognises that voluntary work brings benefit to volunteers themselves, to service users, and to the management team.

• will ensure the volunteers are properly integrated into the organisational structure and that mechanisms are in place for them to contribute to STAND’s work.

• expects that management will work positively with volunteers and, where appropriate, will actively seek to involve them in their work.

• recognises that volunteers require satisfying work and personal development, and will seek to help volunteers meet these needs, as well as providing the training for them to do their work effectively.

• will endeavour to identify and cover the costs of involving volunteers.

• recognises that the management of volunteers requires designated responsibilities within specific posts.

• will endeavour to involve volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities, and ensure the volunteering opportunities are as accessible as possible.

Recruitment of volunteers will generally be from all sections of the community, and will be in line with STAND’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Positive action in recruitment may be used where appropriate.

People interested in becoming volunteers with STAND will be invited for an informal talk with the volunteer manager and/or a trustee. They will be given an information pack including general information about the charity and specific information about the volunteer post they are interested in.

Volunteers will be asked to complete a registration form and supply two references. It may be that volunteers are placed in different roles to what was initially discussed, in these occurrences they will be provided with feedback and the opportunity to discuss alternative volunteering roles within STAND.

Volunteers within STAND will likely come into contact with vulnerable children and/or be in a position of trust. They will therefore be asked to provide information about any criminal conviction via a self-disclosure form that is completed prior to commending their volunteer role.

A risk assessment is carried out for each volunteering role and some roles will require a Disclosure Check will be necessary. These checks will be arranged by STAND. This information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence and will not necessarily prejudice the person being accepted for voluntary work.