Why volunteer in ABA? The benefits (for others, and for you)
Let me start with a confession: I’m super quiet (probably why I’m here writing this instead of being out there mingling). But I love helping others whilst feeding my own curiosity about behaviour, learning, and service. And if I wasn’t already knee-deep in the field, I would definitely volunteer to get into it! And here’s why that’s worth doing –
For others
- Access and equity
In many places, full ABA services are expensive or not widely available. Volunteer-led interventions or “Saturday club” models let more children/families benefit from behaviour-analytic support (even if in a limited way). - Supplemental support / consistency
For children already receiving ABA, volunteer assistants can help generalize skills in more naturalistic settings (e.g. play, community, social settings). That can reduce “skill drop-off” when environments change. - Capacity building for organizations
Many charities run on thin budgets. Volunteer support frees up professional staff to do the high-level assessments, design, supervision, training, and evaluation, while volunteers help with delivery, admin, outreach, or creating materials. - Community connection & awareness
Volunteers also act as bridges: they increase empathy, spread awareness of evidence-based practice, and strengthen the network of people knowledgeable about ABA in the community.
For you
- Hands-on experience
You’ll apply behaviour analytic principles (prompting, reinforcement, data collection, shaping, generalization) in real settings. That’s invaluable, especially for your CV (and your future UKBA(cert) credentials). - Skill building and confidence
You learn not only technical skills, but soft skills: working with families, communications, teamwork, training others, troubleshooting behaviours in situ. - Networking & mentorship
You’ll likely meet practising BCBAs, clinicians, and staff in charities. Those connections may help you later – for supervision, jobs or collaborations. - Personal satisfaction & mission alignment
Volunteering in ABA is a concrete way of contributing to the local community. - Flexibility & mix of roles
You don’t have to always be delivering interventions. You could be involved in admin, data analysis, fundraising, or event support. - Perspective & humility
Volunteering can keep you grounded. It’s a reminder that “real people, real lives” are at the end of our equations and behaviour charts.
How to find and use ABA-informed volunteer roles in the UK
Here’s a step-by-step guide (with a few personal asides, because why not):
- Define what “ABA-informed” means to you
- Do you want to provide direct therapy (1:1, small group)?
- Or admin, outreach, material prep?
- Or a mix?
Clarifying helps you filter opportunities. If you’re quieter like me, you could start with behind-the-scenes roles (data, admin) and gradually move to direct work.
- Search charity / volunteer hubs
Use umbrella sites (e.g. Do-it.org, Volunteering England, VCSE local hubs) with keywords: ABA, behaviour analysis, early intervention, play assistant. Also check local charities in your county.
Also repeatedly check “Volunteer” pages in behaviour organisations. - Filter by supervision & training
A good role gives you training, ongoing supervision, clear behaviour protocols, ethical oversight (DBS, safeguarding, etc.). - Reach out proactively, even if role not posted
Many small charities don’t always list roles; emailing them your profile may prompt them to create a volunteer role. - Be clear about your availability & boundaries
If you can only spare Saturday mornings, or certain weekdays, state that. Organizations appreciate clarity. Also decide whether you’ll claim travel expenses or not. - Get formal agreement / role description
Ask for a simple volunteer agreement: role description, supervision, expectations, feedback, exit plan. - Document & reflect
Keep a “volunteer journal”: what worked, what didn’t, behaviour notes, personal reflections. Use that in your future professional development.
Directory: Current UK ABA / autism / volunteer opportunities (table style)
Below is a table of known (as of now) UK organisations or roles that either explicitly use ABA principles or are likely good fits. Some roles are direct, others are more general support. Always double-check on their website for latest vacancies.
| Organisation / Role | What they do / volunteer roles | Notes & suitability for ABA-informed work |
|---|---|---|
| City of London / University / Saturday ABA Club (Play Assistant) | Volunteers trained in ABA, 1:1 or 2:1 work with children, Saturday clubs | They offer two full days of training, led by a BCBA, DBS check, and clear behavioural target work. volunteering.city.ac.uk |
| Focus Surrey – Saturday ABA Club | Volunteer tutors / tutors assisting with play & behaviour targets | They run a Saturday club using ABA principles; training given by BCaBA. thechildrensplaceslt.com |
| Stepping Stones Together UK | Structured social sessions, 1:1 volunteers in sessions | They work with volunteers in ABA-informed contexts. steppingstonestogetheruk.org |
Deep dive on some standout opportunities & what’s required
1. City Saturday Club / University-linked ABA Play Assistant roles
This is one of the clearest “pure ABA volunteer” models. The advertisement for a Volunteer Play Assistant states:
- Training: Two full days (first full day, then another on a non-attendance Saturday) covering autism, ABA principles, skills. volunteering.city.ac.uk
- Role: You work 1:1 or 2:1 with children (age 3–16) on target behaviours, embed learning opportunities in play, natural environment settings. volunteering.city.ac.uk
- Checks & credentials: You will need references and an Enhanced DBS check. volunteering.city.ac.uk
- Feedback & satisfaction: They report that 100% of past volunteers surveyed would recommend the volunteering experience. volunteering.city.ac.uk
- Advantages: You get real behavioural experience, supervised by a BCBA; it looks clean on your CV; helps you see how protocols are operationalized.
If I were you, I’d target this role early, as it is the most “ABA-pure” among the listed. It’s a great base from which to expand into other roles.
2. Focus Surrey – Saturday ABA Club
Focus Surrey is a parent-led volunteer initiative. Some notes:
- They train volunteer tutors via a BCaBA and have a BCBA consultant overseeing program design. thechildrensplaceslt.com
- Their mission is to provide more affordable access to ABA for local families who might not otherwise afford it. thechildrensplaceslt.com
- Because it’s volunteer-run by parents, the structure might be more flexible (less bureaucratic), but you may have to pitch your own volunteer role, especially around content, materials, or digital work.
This is a good “grassroots” spot especially if you live reasonably close or are willing to travel some distance.
How you might approach volunteering
Let me get a little more personal (since you asked for that):
- I’d start by applying to the City Saturday Club Play Assistant role, even if you live a bit further — the training and “official” nature makes it a strong anchor.
- Meanwhile, I’d keep watching volunteer hubs (Do-it, local VCSE), set email alerts for “ABA volunteer” or “behaviour support volunteer.”
- Over time, I’d ask for more direct roles (1:1) once I proved reliability and got trusted.
Also: I’d log each session (date, what you did, reflections) — that helps when you later go for UKBA(cert) roles. It’s proof of consistent behavioural work (even if voluntary).
Potential challenges & how to mitigate them (with gentle humour)
- Geographic mismatch
There may be no such role near you (especially in rural Norfolk). Mitigation: propose remote roles (admin) to organisations anywhere, or plan periodic travel if possible (maybe once a month). - No posted role, but desire to volunteer
Many charities operate “under the radar.” Don’t wait for a posting — pitch yourself with your skill set. Believe me, quiet people can surprise organisations (that’s our secret weapon.) - Burnout or time conflict
If you’re like me, with a partner + children + coursework + future ambitions, you’ll need to be mindful. Start small (e.g. 2 hrs/week) and scale up if it works. Use your wish to help (not guilt) to guide sustainable volunteering. - Supervision / safety / ethical oversight
Always ensure a BCBA or trained supervisor oversees your work (especially in behaviour intervention). Don’t accept roles where you’re “on your own.” Ask about safeguarding policies, DBS checks, training. - Logistics (travel, costs, DBS checks)
Ask whether travel expenses are reimbursed. Check how long DBS takes locally. Plan buffer time. Many charities anticipate these constraints and may support you.
Final thoughts
This is something you can do, even before finishing your studies, and even while juggling family life.
I may not be riding motorcycles anymore (to my partner’s relief), but I still get that same sense of adventure and freedom from seeing people’s lives improve through behaviour analysis.