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Volunteer stories: Nishi
Nishi joined ERIC in 2025 as one of our Potty Training Heroes, which is a peer-to-peer online support scheme for parents and carers. She volunteers her time each week offering reassurance to those who are struggling with potty training their children and signposting them to advice.
I’m a doctor and a mum of three. My youngest son is autistic and supporting him has helped me appreciate how vital the right information and empathy can be for families. I first came across ERIC while looking for reliable guidance on toilet training for my son and was really impressed by how supportive and understanding the organisation is.
I found out about the volunteering opportunity through ERIC’s Facebook page. It immediately caught my attention because I wanted to give back and support the organisation that had helped my son. As a parent of a child with special needs, I know how valuable ERIC’s resources are for families like mine and I wanted to share my experience to help others.
The entire process was very welcoming and well-organised. The training covered everything I needed to feel confident, from understanding ERIC’s values and services to learning how to respond sensitively to potty training issues. The team are incredibly supportive, and I always know where to turn for help. I felt like part of ERIC from the very beginning.
My 'hero' experience
My volunteer role involves supporting parents through the recently introduced webchat service and by responding to their emails about potty training. During an average shift, I answer parent enquiries, share information and resources and offer evidence-based guidance. Every conversation is different, but the focus is always on providing reassurance, understanding and practical advice.
My favourite thing about volunteering is knowing that even a small amount of my time can really make a difference to someone’s day. Receiving a simple thank you message from a parent or sensing the relief in their words makes it all feel so worthwhile. The team’s warmth and kindness make it such a lovely community to be part of.
Why volunteer?
I wanted to give something back to a charity that makes such a real difference to children and families. I know first-hand how isolating and stressful continence challenges can feel, especially after experiencing multiple toilet regressions with my son. Volunteering for ERIC gives me the opportunity to help others feel supported and understood.
I’ve gained so much, a real sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of children’s continence. There are also great webinars and training sessions so there is always something new to learn.
ERIC fills a gap that often goes unseen especially when NHS services are overwhelmed. Continence issues can affect a child’s confidence, emotional wellbeing and family life, yet they’re still surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding. By volunteering, you’re helping to change that and giving families the knowledge and reassurance they need to support their children.
If you’re wondering whether to do it or not, I’d say go for it! You will be joining a compassionate, supportive team that makes a genuine difference. You don’t need to have all the answers, just a passion to help and support parents and a willingness to learn.
Volunteer Potty Training Heroes
Would you like to help parents and carers who need some support with potty training? We're looking for volunteers on our project, Potty Training Heroes.
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