Volunteer with Aphasia Support

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers are the beating heart of Aphasia Support, making a life-changing difference to the people, families and communities we support.

  • Speech Support Volunteer

    Providing either home-based or online one-to-one speech and language therapy using bespoke apps and supported conversation.

    This role requires a 6 month commitment to supporting a minimum of 2 clients every fortnight.

    6 - 12 hours per month (including report writing).

  • Aphasia Cafe Vounteer

    Delivering a range of group activities at one of our twice-monthly, in-person Aphasia Cafe group sessions, where a Session Leader will be present.

    This role requires your commitment to attend a twice-monthly Aphasia Cafe local to you.

    3 hours per month.

  • FAQ's

    • Aged 18 or above
    • Online inteview
    • DBS check required
    • References required
    • Full training provided
    • Q&A sessions
    • Full travel expenses
    • Suitable for students
    Find out more

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 Do I need a particular skillset or qualification?

No. You just need to be IT literate, but most importantly – friendly, patient, positive and compassionate! Full training is provided, and you will have access to support and guidance throughout.

I’m currently studying. Would this be a good opportunity for me? 

Yes. Our volunteer roles are ideal for undergraduate or postgraduate speech and language therapy students, or anyone studying a related qualification but interested in pursuing a career in speech and language therapy.

You can fit this role around your studies, working flexibly to gain practical experience supporting people with Aphasia and their careers. You will also gain valuable transferable skills such as communication, organisation, time management and adaptability.

 What do I need to know about Aphasia?

Aphasia is a complex speech and language disorder caused by damage to the language centres of the brain. The condition affects a person’s ability to communicate, including speaking, reading, writing and understanding language. It does not affect a person’s intelligence.

Aphasia is most commonly the result of a sudden stroke. A third of people who have a stroke in the UK will experience Aphasia. There are an estimated 350,000 people living with this diagnosis in the UK.

The hidden disability is life-changing for the individual and their family. Aphasia affects a person's ability to participate in all areas of life. The struggle, or inability, to communicate has a profound impact on employment, independent travel, hobbies & interests, socialising and relationships.

Aphasia Support is a volunteer-led charity guided by the expertise of qualified Speech and Language Therapists. We strive to enhance the quality of life for people with Aphasia, helping our clients to communicate with confidence, regain control and independence.

 Do you accept applicants from across the UK?

We occasionally accept Speech Support Volunteer applicants wishing to offer their support via Zoom remotely. However, most of our clients receive at-home support and require volunteers who can commute locally (within the Yorkshire region).

What support will I receive as a volunteer?

Speech Support Volunteers are supported by our Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, and have regular contact with a qualified Speech and Language Therapist. This includes assessment reviews and Q&A sessions.

Aphasia Cafe Volunteers will be supported by the Cafe's Session Leader, and may be mentored by another volunteer.

Click here to meet our team!

“Volunteering helped me move forward”

Pat Malin, from Barnsley, has been volunteering with Aphasia Support since September 2021.

I had gone through a close bereavement, lockdown and retirement in the space of a year. I needed purpose in my life. 

Volunteering helped me move forward, meet new people and learn new skills

Pat is now one of our lead volunteers at Barnsley Aphasia Café.  She helps encourage people with aphasia to feel safe to communicate in whatever way they can.

I absolutely love the café and the great friends I’ve made. I love seeing people grow in confidence the more they attend. This goes for the volunteers too. We’re like a little family.

Who we help

“I had to start from scratch with reading and talking”

Although I knew what I wanted to say, I couldn’t get the words out. I had to completely start again with reading and talking.

Deborah Fahey had a stroke in 2016. She completely lost her speech and had to start again from scratch. 

After seven months in hospital, her speech hadn’t improved much at all. A year post-stroke, she started working with us on her communication goals. 

One of our volunteers spent a few hours a month with Deborah working through our therapy apps. 

Now Deborah can have conversations and make herself understood. Being able to communicate again has massively improved her quality of life. 

Recovery is possible with the right support.