Parent to Parent Line

Parent to Parent is a confidential telephone support service for parents and carers of an adult or child on the autism spectrum. You can call free from a landline at any time and leave a message. A volunteer will then phone you back as soon as possible. Our volunteers can call at a time that suits you, including evenings and weekends.

The service is provided by trained parent volunteers across the UK who are all parents themselves of a child or adult on the autism spectrum. Our parent volunteers both mothers and fathers have a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight and can talk through any issues, problems or feelings you are experiencing. They all know what life can be like for families affected by autism and want to do something to support others in similar situations. They can also point you to other sources of information and support. 

You can telephone the Parent to Parent line on:

0800 9 520 520

The cost of the call is paid for by our Information, Advice and Advocacy department (please be aware that if you call the line from a mobile you may be charged - please check with your provider).

Feedback from parents

"Just called to say thank you and what a wonderful and valuable service. It was really helpful to share and unburden with someone who understands thank you."

"The Parent to Parent service is a lifeline."

Volunteers' experience

"I find talking to other parents via the P2P line helps me to put my son's problems into perspective. I find the whole service invaluable and I'm really glad that I took the opportunity to volunteer."

"The parents we talk to realise 'Hey, this person is not laughing at us, disbelieving us or telling us that our child needs to be disciplined - they actually can relate and, if nothing else, at least listen'."

One volunteer talks about how varied the type of calls to the line can be:

"One day it could be someone who has just returned from the hospital with a diagnosis, another time it could be someone who's had a really bad day - and we all get them - and feels at the end of their tether. What we hear most often from callers is 'It's been so nice to talk to someone who understands."

Related resources

• Volunteer for our Parent to Parent service