Meet Jack, a recent Linguistics graduate whose curiosity about communication led him to volunteer at our Leeds Aphasia Café.

As a volunteer, Jack has discovered that supporting people with aphasia is about much more than simply starting a conversation. From learning how each person communicates to sharing coffee, biscuits and plenty of conversation, he’s gained valuable experience in interaction, observation and empathy.

For Jack, volunteering has been an opportunity to turn his academic knowledge into real-world experience, while connecting with people and being part of a welcoming community. Here, he reflects on what surprised him about volunteering, the moments that have stayed with him, and why he’d encourage other students to take the leap.

Q&A with Jack

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, what you've been studying and why you decided to volunteer at our Leeds Aphasia Cafe?

I’m 21, currently looking into careers in law and teaching. I’ve always enjoyed a chat, a coffee, and a cheeky biscuit - so I suppose if that’s you, you’re in the right place! 

I just graduated with a BA in Linguistics. Throughout my (mainly theoretical) degree, I really wanted to gain a more real experience of the theory I was learning so much about. 

Although that was my academic reasoning, the other reason I volunteered with Aphasia Support is the values the charity holds which align with mine - community, support, and companionship. 

What were you expecting when you first signed up as a volunteer, and was there anything that surprised you about the experience?

I imagined the sessions to have a little more structure, but the lack of structure was surprising and, ultimately, what makes cafe sessions special. The conversation flows naturally, and it genuinely feels like a catch up with friends. 

The support provided with materials is brilliant, but the authenticity of group conversation is something which I think the team at Aphasia Support fosters superbly. 

Can you describe what a typical session looked like, and what your role involved?

Usually, us volunteers arrive maybe half an hour before sessions start, and we set up tables and chairs, and boil up some hot water. 

Clients and families / friends arrive and we make drinks, pass around biscuits and cakes, and spark up conversation. I try to ask a broad question to any client, and then follow up with more specific questions as the conversation develops - that way you can work within the client’s conversational range, and make interesting conversation for both people!

After the session, we pack down and clean quickly, and have an informal debrief of how the session went. If we ever have any concerns or highlights, this is a calm and secure space to voice them. 

Can you share something you're most proud of, or any moments that will stay with you?

I think the moments that stay with you are the changes you see in clients throughout sessions, or over a period of time. It’s really rewarding to be a part of their journey. 

What did you learn about aphasia and the families affected by it?

One of the larger concerns or issues faced by those with aphasia and their families is the fact that to the person you meet in the street, the supermarket, or on the bus, aphasia is invisible. 

This can mean it feels constricting, unnoticed, and at times, scary to live with on a daily basis. 

Cafe sessions at aphasia support make aphasia visible - not to challenge, but to accept as a baseline. Clients come through the cafe doors knowing that there’s no explanation, no judgement, and no barrier to having a genuine conversation. 

Was there anything you found challenging at first, and how did you overcome it?

There’s a challenge to entering all new social environments, and maybe the difference with being a cafe volunteer at Aphasia Support is that you need to get to know the people, but also need to get to know how they individually communicate. This is sort of like when you first start at school, and you don’t quite know your way around - but you learn very quickly, and it's an exciting experience! 

Has your experience as a volunteer helped you develop personally, academically or professionally?

Working with Aphasia Support is my go-to example in interviews, when asked about teamwork, communication, and being helpful (or if asked about the different ways you can make a cuppa). The reason I bring it up in interviews, though, is because it has given me more than what you can write on paper. It has developed my skills in interaction, observation, and human empathy. A life changing opportunity, to be honest.

What did you find most rewarding as a volunteer?

The sessions are globally rewarding. Sharing experiences with other volunteers and session leaders, those first conversations, even remembering a coffee order and having it ready for a client - all of it!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering? 

Do it if you, like me, are a student and are curious. Do it if you love talking to people, helping people, or giving back to your community. Do it if you’re nervous about doing it, take that jump and come and help out, you won’t regret it! Most of all, do it if you love biscuits.