Aspire Volunteering
Our award-winning Aspire volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that our services are peer-led and co-produced. This means women’s needs and aspirations are truly reflected in the support and wellbeing services Aspire provides. Volunteering with Aspire enables valuable involvement and development opportunities for women.
Supporting Sisters
We give our trained support and wellbeing volunteers the title of ‘Supporting Sisters.’ Once women have completed the initial volunteer training, they have the opportunity to be part of a wide variety of support and wellbeing roles, as well as plenty of opportunities to further develop their support skills and specialise themselves in particular areas of interest. We also encourage our volunteers to be part of focus groups for the shaping and evaluation of our support services, so we truly mean it when we say volunteers are at the heart of Aspire.
Email our support and wellbeing team to find out more about the Aspire volunteering experience, training and upcoming opportunities: sisters@aspire-northeast.co.uk
Key Volunteer Roles
Listeners deliver one-to-one confidential listening service.
Group Leads and Group Support facilitate a variety of support and social groups.
Stay Safe Champions offer support to those affected by/at risk of suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
Domestic Violence and Abuse Champions support abuse victims and survivors through their experiences and trauma.
Mental Health Champions offer support to those affected by/at risk of mental distress and living with mental health issues.
Mentors offer peer support to women for personal development and progression.
Aspire Ambassadors represent and promote Aspire at events.
Administration and Reception Volunteers help with the day to day running of Aspire; supporting roles as and when required.
Financial Support Service Volunteers support women using the Aspire Credit Union, as well as offering advice and signposting around scams, the dangers of loan sharks and gambling awareness.
Why Volunteer?
Be a positive role model for our women
Gain experience that is professionally recognised
Support the recovery of our women
Gain training from an Award Winning Organisation
Make a true impact on the lives of other women
Make friends, reduce your own isolation and find purpose
What are the best parts about volunteering at Aspire?
“Being welcomed at all times”
“Making new friends”
“Gaining confidence”
“Learning new skills”
“Helping others”
“Being supported”
“Supporting others to get the best from themselves”
“Meeting other amazing women”
“Gaining a sense of purpose”
“A chance to give back”
“Being part of a big family”
‘Watching communities build and grow within groups, and the laughter (and sometimes shared tears) that comes with that!’
‘The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. I find joy and purpose from volunteering as I know that my time and effort allows other women to access Aspire’s support so that they can make a positive impact to their lives’
‘Seeing growth of women who can arrive withdrawn and with low confidence. There is no greater reward than seeing their confidence grow and become members of the Aspire family’
‘Aspire has allowed me to meet like-minded women, I’ve enjoyed many years of love and support, it’s always there when you need it, it’s a life changer learning all the way’
‘There is absolutely no pressure’
‘It is being able to help out in any capacity I am able to, and being around the fabulous staff, lovely volunteers, and the women who attend the sessions’
‘It gives me a purpose and giving back to the place that helped give me my life back is amazing. To be able to support other women after I was a woman in need has been so special for me. Also making new friends and it building my confidence so much’
‘The amount of love and support you get and are able to give to women who need it’
‘Supporting other women and seeing how much they enjoy coming to Aspire and watching their confidence grow’
‘I look forward to spending time helping out. I feel really appreciated and it has been incredibly rewarding. You get so much back from sharing your time with others here’
‘It is an incredible feeling to be in a position to help another woman on their journey. I have been privileged to be part of this wonderful centre and have seen first hand women being empowered’
‘I am able to give back to our women some of my knowledge of counselling, listening, and bereavement to help with how we at Aspire can bring assistance, help and understanding of experiences that we have to cope with in life’
‘It is like being with my other family where I feel safe and confident’
We operate a rolling volunteer recruitment and training programme.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on when we are next recruiting Aspire volunteers. There you will also find updates and stories about our award-winning volunteers.
Aspire work hard to reduce barriers that could prevent women accessing our volunteer programme, including paying expenses, for more information please contact our support and wellbeing team:
sisters@aspire-northeast.co.uk
0191 389 1504
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How Do Volunteers Shape Aspire?
Our award-winning volunteers are integral to everything we do at Aspire. Through consultation and focus groups, volunteers are involved in design and delivery of support services.
By including our Supporting Sisters Volunteers in our service delivery, volunteers develop the range of core skills and experiences that Aspire can access, as well as expanding the diversity of our programme.
Volunteer involvement in our support services places volunteers in an ideal position to help Aspire develop, evaluate and improve services through our ‘co-production’ model.
‘I first attended Aspire as a woman in need, but with the right support from them I was able to progress in such a short period of time. The volunteer programme was recommended to me but I wasn’t sure I was ready. Thankfully, Aspire believed in me before I did and I am so glad they did. Volunteering has been amazing for me, it feels so good to give back to the place that supported me when I needed it most, whilst also supporting women who are in the position I was once in, and I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity in such a safe and supportive environment. The training was amazing, so tailored to our needs, and I learnt so much that I was able to put into practice in my own life, It is taught in such a unique way, and is the only place I have volunteered at that has provided such brilliant training. The facilitators were so considerate of our individual needs and extra support we might have needed. My confidence has soared since joining Aspire, especially from becoming a volunteer, I have gained so much experience and I finally feel back to a better version of myself. It has given me purpose and I feel so lucky to be able to volunteer at Aspire. Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think about where I was before I had the support of Aspire and to think I am now able to support other women in the place that I was once in. I have also made lifelong friends which is such an added bonus!’
- Supporting Sister, 2026
‘After 14 years of social isolation due to disability, I joined Aspire. In less than a year, I have completed four Level 2 courses and have completed my Level 2 Volunteer Training. I now help support women who were in my position, which is so rewarding. I have confidence myself again and have made friends. I am proud that I am now in a position to help other women and I’ve even involved my daughter in the project too!’
- Supporting Sister, 2026
‘About 12 years ago when I first went to Aspire with a friend, I was a very poorly woman who didn’t know which way was up; I needed support to get me through each day in general life. I was a very different woman to who I am now. I have come through so many different challenges that I am a strong independent woman who will accept challenges of any sort head on. I was at Aspire for about 5 years getting stronger a little at a time to where I decided that it was time for me to give back to other women the support that I had received when I first attended, I decided to do the volunteering course. The course gave me a lot to think about in my own life as well as the work we were covering. I completed Level 1 and 2 and then started to support women in the centre, While doing this I supported a member of staff who was poorly to keep going at work. This member of staff was one of the women I first took under my wing to support for about 5 months. I just felt that this was the right thing to do without being asked as she initially did the same thing for me. I was so grateful to all women that helped me get to where I am now During my time volunteering at Aspire, I feel that I have supported many women to grow and see their potential. I feel this is the sort of thing I wanted to do with all the support I received. I still welcome and support women in many ways in terms centre and will continue to do so as long as I can!’
- Supporting Sister, 2026
‘Volunteering brings me into contact with like-minded women. The knowledge gained and friendships made give me confidence to reach out to others. Volunteering opens up new avenues, gives me a reason to seek out companionship and gives me joy!’
- Supporting Sister, 2025
‘Volunteering has opened me up to a wonderful web of women who support each other and brighten each other’s lives with kindness and love’
- Supporting Sister, 2025
“When I walked through Aspire’s door, I felt safe and a hope for the future. I knew that I wanted to be part of the Aspire family. Starting my volunteering journey made me look at myself and reflect on my personal development in order to grow. I needed change and Aspire believed in me which gave me confidence to make those changes. I wanted to support other women that may have the struggles that I’ve had. I am really happy with how much support and training I have had. Volunteering has made me stronger”
— Supporting Sister, 2024
“The best thing about volunteering at Aspire is being part of a big family who support you whilst you support other women who hopefully will go on to support others. Peer support really works!”
— Supporting Sister, 2024