Help families be understood

Language Supporters help parents feel seen, heard, and supported during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. Many parents we work with speak little or no English. At Amma, we are committed to providing every parent, regardless of language or background, with care, guidance, and advocacy throughout their birthing journey. As a Language Supporter, you play a vital role in making this possible.

You’ll support families to take part fully in conversations about their care. This can include interpreting appointments, home visits, or group sessions; explaining rights, choices, and healthcare information; supporting sensitive discussions; and helping families access wider services.

We are especially looking for volunteers who speak English and at least one of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Vietnamese, or Albanian.

About the role

As a volunteer Language Supporter, you’ll be contacted when your language skills are needed, with opportunities to support families in a way that fits around your availability. While we aim to plan appointments in advance, there may be occasions where support is needed at short notice. You are always free to accept or decline, making this a flexible and rewarding way to help families feel seen, heard, and supported.

Support may include:

  • Interpreting during phone calls, home visits, office appointments, and group sessions such as antenatal classes or peer support groups

  • Helping families understand information about pregnancy, birth planning, postnatal care, rights, choices, and wider support needs

  • Supporting discussions about sensitive topics, including experiences of trauma

  • Working with the wider Amma team to ensure families feel seen, informed, and supported

  • Keeping simple but thorough records of interpreted sessions as needed

You will work closely with Amma’s Perinatal Team Leaders and will be supported by the Volunteer Manager and Referrals Manager.

Please note: There may be opportunities for freelance paid interpreting work with Amma in the future.

Is this role right for you?

You could be a great fit for this role if you:

Recruitment & training dates

We recruit and train new Language Supporters once per year. Our next volunteer training opens in Spring 2027. Applications are open on a rolling basis, so please apply even if we aren’t actively recruiting. 

To ensure the well-being of both volunteers and families, we provide an essential induction of around 12 hours of face-to-face training, supplemented by 2–3 hours of self-directed online learning. Volunteers also have ongoing opportunities to develop their skills, as well as regular chances to connect with and build relationships with other members of the Amma community.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply?

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds who are fluent in English and one of the languages we are recruiting for (Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Vietnamese, or Albanian). Volunteers should live in the Glasgow area and be comfortable interpreting conversations about pregnancy, birth, and sensitive topics.

We are inclusive of all women (cis and trans). We welcome non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming people who share or have shared lived experiences of women’s issues and are comfortable in a space that centres women.

We welcome applications from volunteers with prior interpreting experience, but it is not required.  As a Language Supporter, you’ll help clients understand information about pregnancy, birth, and their rights, and support conversations about sensitive topics such as trauma or wider support needs. We provide full training and ongoing support, so you’ll feel confident and prepared in your role.

There may be opportunities for freelance paid interpreting work with Amma in the future. This depends on completing training, gaining experience in different interpreting situations, and demonstrating a strong standard of interpreting. Opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on client language needs and service requirements. Having our own trained interpreters helps us provide consistent, high-quality support to families.

All Language Supporters complete an essential induction of approximately 12 hours of face-to-face training, supplemented by 2 to 3 hours of self-directed online learning. You will also have ongoing opportunities to develop your skills and connect with other Amma volunteers. Training for the next cohort will be held in our Glasgow city centre office on Wednesday 3 June, Tuesday 9th June & Thursday 11th June (10am-2pm)  during school hours, and it is essential that you can attend all three days.

Amma will cover reasonable out of pocket expenses for travel.

We’re committed to supporting volunteers with disabilities. Our team offers personalised assistance, and our training accommodates different learning needs.

Language Supporters may also need to:

  • Navigate stairs – some homes are only accessible by stairs
  • Work in cramped spaces – some clients live in cramped accommodation (e.g., hotel rooms)
  • Manage varied home environments – volunteering in homes can present sensory challenges including household noise, odours, visual stimuli, and variable lighting and room temperature
  • Travel across Greater Glasgow to reach clients’ homes

Before applying, we recommend contacting our Volunteer Manager, Jenny Block (jenny@ammabirthcompanions.org), to discuss your specific needs.

You’ll be part of a supportive team:

  • Work with Amma staff guidance — you’re never without backup
  • Staff support on maintaining boundaries
  • Regular opportunities to connect with other Amma volunteers
  • A dedicated volunteer manager

Ready to join us?

Applications are open on a rolling basis, so please apply even if we aren’t actively recruiting. 

Apply now

Have questions? Contact our Referrals Manager.