Meet Our Volunteers
Since its inception, Aware has been a volunteer-led organisation with our community of 400+ Volunteers dedicating their time, energy and compassion every week to support others.
We would like you to meet just some of our fantastic Volunteers and recognise their valuable contribution.
Our Volunteers are a hugely diverse group of all ages and from all walks of life. Some even have their own experience of mental illness, either directly or through supporting a loved one, which has inspired them to want to support others going through similar experiences.
I volunteer on the Aware Support Line. I volunteer with Aware as I have first hand experience of the challenges that mental health can bring. After I give support to a person who is having difficulties with their mental health it makes me feel like I’ve given something back to help society. I feel like I’ve given more than money. I’ve given my time. I’ve given my non judgemental hand of friendship in a time of need, and that makes me very happy.
I volunteer with Aware as I have first hand experience of the challenges that mental health can bring. After I give support to a person who is having difficulties with their mental health it makes me feel like I’ve given something back to help society. I feel like I’ve given more than money. I’ve given my time. I’ve given my non judgemental hand of friendship in a time of need, and that makes me very happy.
Joey is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level.
Based on your current life stage, what factors do you feel impact on your mental health?
I am currently 27 years old and recently got married to Robyn. I have a golden retriever, Harry. Life is pretty good for me. Something that always helps me positively from a mental standpoint is stopping and appreciating everything I have going for me. I’m so lucky to have Robyn, Harry, great friends, and family to always rely on. They’re a great support network for me and gives me a great sense of gratitude. When my profession as a rugby player isn’t going great, which it can’t always be, I know that when I get home from a tough day that I have people in my corner who can put me in a better place and take my mind off things.
How do you look after your mental health?
I look after my mental health by staying as active as possible, being around people close to me, doing activities such as golf in my downtime, mindfulness, and enjoying down time to the best of my ability.
What advice would you have for other people at your life stage?
I would recommend everyone to have a hobby or something they can learn to do in their downtime that they enjoy and helps them to switch off and unwind. I know for some people it’s running, or the gym, or simply going to the cinema. But it’s so important to be able to switch off from the craziness of everyday life with something you enjoy doing.
As a Volunteer with Aware, I am reminded every week of the profound and positive impact that the organisation has on those who use its services. I have been a facilitator with the Support & Self Care Groups for the last two years and I have listened many times to people describing how much of a difference these groups can make. Not only is it a privilege to be part of this experience, but as a facilitator I am constantly learning from the wisdom and insights imparted from attendees.
Joey is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level.
Based on your current life stage, what factors do you feel impact on your mental health?
I am currently 27 years old and recently got married to Robyn. I have a golden retriever, Harry. Life is pretty good for me. Something that always helps me positively from a mental standpoint is stopping and appreciating everything I have going for me. I’m so lucky to have Robyn, Harry, great friends, and family to always rely on. They’re a great support network for me and gives me a great sense of gratitude. When my profession as a rugby player isn’t going great, which it can’t always be, I know that when I get home from a tough day that I have people in my corner who can put me in a better place and take my mind off things.
How do you look after your mental health?
I look after my mental health by staying as active as possible, being around people close to me, doing activities such as golf in my downtime, mindfulness, and enjoying down time to the best of my ability.
What advice would you have for other people at your life stage?
I would recommend everyone to have a hobby or something they can learn to do in their downtime that they enjoy and helps them to switch off and unwind. I know for some people it’s running, or the gym, or simply going to the cinema. But it’s so important to be able to switch off from the craziness of everyday life with something you enjoy doing.
I’ve experienced mental health challenges throughout my life. My continued recovery is firmly grounded in the extraordinary and unique world of peer support. As an Aware Volunteer I have the honour of facilitating in-person Support & Self Care Groups. The honesty, kindness, support and sharing of coping skills, hope and compassion in the groups, lift and gift me more than words can say. To connect with these extraordinary people is a privilege and reminder that recovery is possible no matter how dark the hour may appear.
I volunteer on the Aware Support Line. I volunteer with Aware as I have first hand experience of the challenges that mental health can bring. After I give support to a person who is having difficulties with their mental health it makes me feel like I’ve given something back to help society. I feel like I’ve given more than money. I’ve given my time. I’ve given my non judgemental hand of friendship in a time of need, and that makes me very happy.
I volunteer as after having a stroke three years ago I felt I might be able to help others with dealing with their different problems. It also helps me to deal with mine and to appreciate where I am now.
Joey is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level.
Based on your current life stage, what factors do you feel impact on your mental health?
I am currently 27 years old and recently got married to Robyn. I have a golden retriever, Harry. Life is pretty good for me. Something that always helps me positively from a mental standpoint is stopping and appreciating everything I have going for me. I’m so lucky to have Robyn, Harry, great friends, and family to always rely on. They’re a great support network for me and gives me a great sense of gratitude. When my profession as a rugby player isn’t going great, which it can’t always be, I know that when I get home from a tough day that I have people in my corner who can put me in a better place and take my mind off things.
How do you look after your mental health?
I look after my mental health by staying as active as possible, being around people close to me, doing activities such as golf in my downtime, mindfulness, and enjoying down time to the best of my ability.
What advice would you have for other people at your life stage?
I would recommend everyone to have a hobby or something they can learn to do in their downtime that they enjoy and helps them to switch off and unwind. I know for some people it’s running, or the gym, or simply going to the cinema. But it’s so important to be able to switch off from the craziness of everyday life with something you enjoy doing.
I volunteer with Aware because mental health is really important to me. As a psychotherapy student I can see that mental health services like Aware’s are invaluable to people and they provide people with optimum levels of support. It’s such a fulfilling and worthwhile role and I feel really privileged to get to support people on a weekly basis.
Joey is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level.
Based on your current life stage, what factors do you feel impact on your mental health?
I am currently 27 years old and recently got married to Robyn. I have a golden retriever, Harry. Life is pretty good for me. Something that always helps me positively from a mental standpoint is stopping and appreciating everything I have going for me. I’m so lucky to have Robyn, Harry, great friends, and family to always rely on. They’re a great support network for me and gives me a great sense of gratitude. When my profession as a rugby player isn’t going great, which it can’t always be, I know that when I get home from a tough day that I have people in my corner who can put me in a better place and take my mind off things.
How do you look after your mental health?
I look after my mental health by staying as active as possible, being around people close to me, doing activities such as golf in my downtime, mindfulness, and enjoying down time to the best of my ability.
What advice would you have for other people at your life stage?
I would recommend everyone to have a hobby or something they can learn to do in their downtime that they enjoy and helps them to switch off and unwind. I know for some people it’s running, or the gym, or simply going to the cinema. But it’s so important to be able to switch off from the craziness of everyday life with something you enjoy doing.
I volunteer because I have a goal to provide support and guidance to individuals who may be struggling in the moment and or struggle with ongoing mental health challenges. Volunteering with Aware helps me understand the struggles people have in their day-to-day life and the impact this can have on their mental health. Aware makes a positive difference not only to the person reaching for support but also to those who volunteer.
Joey is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level.
Based on your current life stage, what factors do you feel impact on your mental health?
I am currently 27 years old and recently got married to Robyn. I have a golden retriever, Harry. Life is pretty good for me. Something that always helps me positively from a mental standpoint is stopping and appreciating everything I have going for me. I’m so lucky to have Robyn, Harry, great friends, and family to always rely on. They’re a great support network for me and gives me a great sense of gratitude. When my profession as a rugby player isn’t going great, which it can’t always be, I know that when I get home from a tough day that I have people in my corner who can put me in a better place and take my mind off things.
How do you look after your mental health?
I look after my mental health by staying as active as possible, being around people close to me, doing activities such as golf in my downtime, mindfulness, and enjoying down time to the best of my ability.
What advice would you have for other people at your life stage?
I would recommend everyone to have a hobby or something they can learn to do in their downtime that they enjoy and helps them to switch off and unwind. I know for some people it’s running, or the gym, or simply going to the cinema. But it’s so important to be able to switch off from the craziness of everyday life with something you enjoy doing.
Volunteering with Aware is a vital avenue for gaining practical knowledge in psychology while making a meaningful contribution to society. Engaging directly with individuals facing mental health challenges provides me with invaluable hands-on experience that complements academic learning. This involvement enhances my understanding of psychological theories and therapeutic techniques, fostering a deeper empathy and insight into the complexities of mental health issues.
Join Our Volunteer Team
We are always looking for new Volunteers to join the team with remote and in-person opportunities available. If you’re interested in making a difference, we would love to hear from you.
“If you just help that one person, that can be so powerful. You could change a life in that conversation”.
Aware is proud to have achieved the
Investing in Volunteers Award.