
My bit for Volunteers’ Week: Caiden shares his story
Caiden, volunteer for the Empower Up project
02/06/2025
I am Caiden, and I am a volunteer within the Empower Up project of the National Autistic Society Scotland. And I’d like to share my experience for Volunteers’ Week.
When did I start volunteering?
I started volunteering with the online Empower Up group for 12 to 15-year-olds in March 2025. That may not be that long ago, but I feel it’s been going on for a while. It’s lots of fun.
Why did I choose to volunteer with the National Autistic Society?
I personally chose to volunteer with this charity because, for one, I am autistic, and I participated in the 16 to 19-year-old Empower Up group the year prior. We developed skills, and I made friends with loads of the staff and group members.
The group leader was so nice and made me think that I was capable of doing something that was similar to this, as they were also autistic. So, I contacted her, and after waiting for not too long, I applied. To cut a long story short, I was accepted. And I have been working with them since March, as said earlier.
Favourite moments
My favourite moments of volunteering would just be talking to the young people. Advice that I unintentionally picked up on from being part of these groups is passing on advice, which I would hope that people would also pass on to people like them. I like to comfort them and chat if something is concerning them. I’ll try my best to comfort them. And it can help them.
I also like talking with the groups about their interests – some may like Lego, or they like certain sports, like football. I like to talk about my own interests, or if they have something that sounds intriguing, I try to ask what it is they like about that certain interest to learn more. I also enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers in the group and hearing about their experiences of being autistic.
Why is supporting autism important for me?
I have had a passion for autism since 2020. My closest friend is autistic, and it made me dig deep into what autism actually is. I was diagnosed the year after, and well, pretty much after being diagnosed, I have been trying to make people aware.
In school, I have made countless attempts to make people aware of autism. I have had a huge passion for the topic for a long time. Personally, I think autism should have more awareness because not a lot of people are aware.
I have met many autistic people in my life, and I just think autism doesn’t really get talked about a lot. And as mentioned earlier, autism is a massive passion of mine. I have read books and messaged a celebrity congratulating her work for autism research.
I make such a long statement for autism because, well, I don’t know how it is for others, but for me, telling people I’m autistic is quite a challenge. Their reaction could be different – some people I have told about my struggles have been very cruel. But most have been very friendly people, making me confident enough to tell them that. Or going into the streets of Glasgow with the group leader and walking with her in confidence, knowing we’re safe.
The difference it’s made
The difference being a volunteer for the National Autistic Society has made is that when I applied to do voluntary work, I wanted to help people who have similar experiences as me. I’ve been obsessed with helping others for as long as I can remember. It’s a joy being a volunteer. And I wouldn’t change it.
Thanks for taking the time to read my bit for Volunteers’ Week. I hope it tells a story and delivers a message, as autism is a huge passion for me. And I’m sure lots of other people have passions for this as well.
The National Autistic Society provides multiple outreach programmes and social groups, including the National Autistic Society Scotland’s Empower Up programme.
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