A BOLTON autism charity is putting a call out for volunteers, to help raise awareness for National Befriending Week.

Many people and firms were impacted during pandemic, but autistic adults and their families using Bolton Adult Autism Support services were affected even more so.

The service offers support to socially isolated autistic adults and parent carers. But with face-to-face services stopping, existing members were affected the most.

Support was still offered, like information and online quizzes. But being unable to interact physically took its toll.

Vicky Baas, befriending service co-ordinator, said: "We have been badly affected by Covid, which has exacerbated mental health conditions, through social isolation. For those with autism, it’s so important to have that community.

“Because of face-to-face not being able to continue, it meant a change to what they were used to. It’s a really rewarding job which will give volunteers those skills for life.”

Vicky recruits, trains and supports volunteer befrienders who buddy up with socially isolated autistic adults to provide friendship and enhance their life experiences.

She matches service users with a befriender, and provides a one-to-one service, where autistic adults and their families can set goals and decide on social activities they want to be a part of.

Vicky added: “Volunteering gives users that independence, and it means we can better meet the needs. We want to provide supportive and reliable relationships for the autistic adult experiencing loneliness and social isolation.”

Despite the impact of the pandemic, the charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services 2020, which recognised the positive impact on families.

At the moment the charity hasn’t got many volunteers, so raising awareness this week is even more important to them.

Services such as this can help provide the necessary support for those who might only be mixing with their families.

National Befriending Week will take place from tomorrow until the following Sunday.

More information on becoming a volunteer can be found online at www.boltonadultautismsupport.org.uk