Stephanie's Volunteer Story

A friend took me to an Autism NI meeting a couple of weeks after my sons diagnosis 17 years ago, and the following month I attended the Ballymena Support Group, and have attended ever since. I love being involved and volunteering because the understanding and support I received from the parents and volunteers in those early days was invaluable.  We cried together, laughed and cried some more. To be with people who actually understand what you're going through is unmeasureable.  I began by helping out during fundraising activities and then during group events. I held the role of Treasurer for the group for 5 years and for the last 7 years I have been the Lead Volunteer in Ballymena and Chair the Support Group Meetings, and I even managed to become a little bit tech savvy when I hosted the meetings via Zoom for 18 months during covid. Seeing a very scared, new parent attend a meeting for the first time, letting them listen to the other parents, and then seeing the look of relief that they are not actually all alone on this journey is so encouraging. This is the support I received, and still do from the group and want to ensure every parent or carer who attends feels exactly the same way. If you are thinking about volunteering, don't panic, you don't have to put in 40 hours a week, you find it's normally a few hours a month, even less sometimes, and it's so rewarding to know that the time you put in is rewarded by the support you have given someone who is in the position you once where.