We’re very pleased to say that our wonderful Speak With A Picture project has a new volunteer! And, like so many of our volunteers and staff, Emily has first-hand experience of autism.
Emily, from Gidea Park, has been a volunteer on the SWAP project for several weeks now, having become aware of Sycamore Trust when her daughter was diagnosed. Following the diagnosis, Emily received a lot of information, including details of the support that we provide at Sycamore. When her working circumstances changed, she found herself with some spare time and decide to volunteer.
Emily explained; “I wanted to volunteer for the Sycamore Trust because I really value the support and help given to the autistic community. I Know first-hand how challenging ( as well as amazing ) life can be for those with autism and then in turn for their families who are supporting them. When my eldest daughter was diagnosed with autism it was so reassuring to know that there was support out there from people who had been there and knew what they were talking about, when otherwise it could have been a very lonely place. I wanted to be able to in a small way support others who are going through similar times.”
Needless to say, Emily is really enjoying her new role. “It’s been so lovely to see children developing their communication skills through the use of symbols and it really giving them a voice to take forward in their everyday life. I’m excited now to be involved in the next group of children starting on the programme this week.”
And as you might expect, we are delighted to have her on board. SWAP lead project manager Ann Marie Lyons-Mummery said; ‘We are so lucky to have Emily as part of our SWAP team and value her time with us. We know how little free time parents with autistic children have and for Emily to donate that time to us is invaluable and is very much appreciated.’
For more about volunteering with Sycamore, click here; https://www.sycamoretrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us