Young people at risk need 'Aunties'

I see volunteering as a calling more than an act of service. I have always been passionate about social impact, and have come to appreciate how powerful it is to consistently show up for others with grace and compassion. - Nancy, volunteer 'Auntie', Young Steps

Volunteers are of vital importance to community organisations across London especially where those organisations support vulnerable people. Volunteers not only massively increase capacity and scalability but they also add a richness of skills and experience. For Young Steps (now Her Collective), based in Barking and Dagenham, volunteers are essential for delivering culturally sensitive support services to young people at risk / those affected by domestic violence.

Community-based support

Young Steps received a grant from the MOPAC Violence Against Women and Girls Grassroots Fund at the start of 2024, having previously been funded as part of The London Community Foundation's Together for London fund. Using the traditional African community-based support model, volunteer 'Aunties' bring their skills and experience to provide weekly face-to-face mentoring and pastoral support for young women and girls in the borough. The involvement of volunteers has crucially seen Young Steps increase their capacity to deliver services, and free up staff members to concentrate on delivering more frontline services to disadvantaged young women and girls.

Each individual volunteer 'Auntie' is matched with four young women and girls based on similar life experience, background and faith, to ensure culturally sensitive support. They meet together weekly for 12 months to support with identifying, reporting and avoiding domestic violence, providing tips on staying safe, managing mental health, conflict resolution and overall life guidance. Aunties also facilitate monthly peer group support sessions and there are weekly social and recreational activities to build community for those young women and girls in the programme. In addition, the Young Steps can provide intensive case support as well as food and basic supplies where needed.

Above all the volunteer 'Aunties' are dedicated to offering their time and assistance to young people who need a listening ear, or role model, to set goals, and make positive choices. The young people have immensely benefitted from the support provided by volunteer 'Aunties' and developed resilience to overcome challenges and build their lives:

• “I like how I am able to tell 'auntie' Nancy everything about myself - she reminds me of my real auntie who lives in Newcastle..." (girl, 16)
• “I look forward to meeting my 'auntie' because she is friendly and I trust her. She guides me on how to handle difficult situations. I have learnt to make good decisions, make new friends, and overcome challenges in my life...” (young person, 18)

91% of the young women on the programme reported improved awareness of risks that lead to domestic violence and abuse. 85% had seen improvements in their overall mental health and well-being. 74 % had experienced increased feelings of safety and seen reduced incidents of domestic violence and abuse thanks to the support of the Young Steps 'Aunties'.

Volunteering as an 'Auntie'

Girls in my community need an effective role model - someone who resembles home for them - that can understand, communicate, and listen to them effectively without judgments... - Christine, volunteer 'Auntie', Young Steps

Nancy and Christine are part of a team of 10 'Aunties', giving their time to create safe, culturally sensitive spaces for these young women. They both shared what being an Auntie means to them and how it makes them feel. It's clear that a commitment like this can be challenging but the rewards are considerable too:

"I see volunteering as a calling more than an act of service. I have always been passionate about social impact, and I have come to appreciate how powerful it is to consistently show up for others with grace and compassion. Through volunteering at Young Steps, I have gained the perspective, that while I may never fully understand someone else’s struggle, I can always offer kindness, support, and respect. Supporting young people in a project as sensitive as this, I tune in to these same elements helping the young people feel safe and begin to heal, reclaim their voices, and envision a future beyond trauma." - Nancy

"Volunteering with Young Steps has really opened my eyes into the world of our youth and the importance of their development. Girls in my community need an effective role model or someone who slightly resembles home for them. Someone that can understand, communicate, and listen to them effectively without judgments and helping parents to better communicate with their children. Being an in-between voice of the parents and the teachers, helps remove any formality that may overwhelm the young person, and it means that I am able to give back to a community that I believe is derailing from its norms." - Christine

Publishing this at the end of 2025 Volunteers' Week, it's a real privilege to hear directly from two of the volunteers who are truly making a difference, where it matters most. These are just two examples of all the volunteers who are ensuring organisations, groups and projects can make a lasting impact - and not just supporting those experiencing violence against women and girls, but in community-based initiatives of all kinds right across the city.

Thank you to Sarah Pulle, Women and Girls Support Lead at Young Steps, for sharing this insight into their work and to the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) for their generous support and vision to see London as a safe place for all.

If you or your company would be interested in supporting community organisations, like Young Steps and others relying on volunteers to grow their reach and maximise their impact, we'd love to partner with you today.