The Aspire Team
Susanna - CEO & Founder
I’m Susanna, and I’m proud to be the Chief Executive Officer of Aspire! I’m a registered Occupational Therapist, with over eighteen years experience working with adults over 55 in care homes, mental health services, volunteer work, and the NHS.
I work in partnership with many innovative local organisations, and with such a creative and like-minded team of staff and volunteers. This is my dream job! From a very young age, I was inspired to care deeply about the lives and stories of people a good few decades older than me. Listening and learning from people, and connecting with them, is the beating heart of what we do. I hate labels, stereotypes and assumptions that box people in, that make an individual feel undervalued, or that their story is somehow of little worth. People are people, no matter how old!
My dream is that many more Aspire communities will spring up across Kirklees and beyond - places where people can have fun, try something new, and forge lasting friendships. We aim to deliver an exceptional quality of service, shifting cultures and attitudes, and working hard to see people’s lives change through purpose, connection and loving our communities.
Hi, I'm Stella and I volunteered with Susanna at St John's Aspire in Birkby when it first started in 2015. I now work for Aspire running groups in Ashbrow and Dalton, and I cover some outreach work. I love the variety of people I get to know through Aspire - it's a real privilege to be involved in their lives in a small way. Aspire also brings out the best of my creative side as I love painting and crafting in my spare time. I work with a great team of staff and volunteers too - it's like family.
Stella - Outreach Coordinator & Session Leader
I'm Rebekah, I have been working with Aspire for over two years, before this I worked with Talkthru in Huddersfield and as a freelance Landscape Designer. I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Aspire and Session Leader for the groups at Crosland Moor and Birkby Croft. I love to encourage others and facilitate community. It is such a privilege to work with both the Aspire members and the amazing volunteers who offer their time and skills.
Rebekah - Volunteer Coordinator & Session Leader
Hi, I'm Jo, the session leader for the Almondbury group and creative development lead for the Aspire.
I'm an illustrator and artist, and love all things music. Mainly I love bringing people together to be creative, whether through art, music or intergenerational work.
I'm excited to be part of the team at Aspire!
Jo - Session Leader & Intergenerational Lead
Hello I'm Liz, I joined Aspire in 2020 having been involved in the third sector in Kirklees after returning to the UK after many years overseas.
I provide administrative support for Aspire so that Susanna and the team can concentrate the million other things they need to do to keep Aspire afloat. I have been really excited to see the difference Aspire makes in people's lives and loved the very positive feedback we get from the people we reach.
Liz - Aspire Administrator
Hi i'm Phoenix! I joined the Aspire team in early 2023 working as a Fundraiser. Among other things this involves applying for grants and funds to ensure that Aspire has the funding it needs to continue to run it's services, such as weekly groups and events.
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I absolutely love working with the Aspire team, their hard work and dedication to supporting their members is amazing and Susanna has become my new role model.
