Volunteer recruitment event for mental health mentoring scheme to be hosted by Mirfield charity this evening

Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust will be welcoming prospective volunteers through their doors this evening (Wednesday), from 5pm to 7pm, to give local people the opportunity to find out more about becoming a mentor and the difference they can make to a young person’s life.

The event is for people interested in supporting young people in their community to discover what being a volunteer mentor involves, including the training and ongoing support provided by the charity who have launched the Mentoring @ Northorpe programme.

The charity says that youth mental health concerns highlight the need for stronger support networks and is shining a light on trusted adult relationships, as young people face pressures that can cause anxiety, reduced engagement with school or work, and feelings of isolation.

Before joining the programme, 17-year-old ‘E’ was experiencing significant trauma, anxiety and long-term isolation. She rarely left the house, had very low confidence, and found everyday activities extremely overwhelming, relying heavily on her grandad for support.

Through consistent mentoring, ‘E’ began to rebuild her confidence step by step, starting with small outings and gradually progressing to venturing out wider into her community. Over time, she has learned to drive, re-engaged with health appointments and developed far greater independence in daily life.

‘E’ said: “Before mentoring I felt miserable and completely isolated. I wasn’t going anywhere or speaking to anyone, and I couldn’t do anything on my own.

“Now I can go places by myself, make phone calls, go to appointments and speak to people. I feel much more independent, and I’m not as scared of being on my own anymore.”

A report on the programme describes mentoring as “life-changing”, with mentees growing in confidence and making significant personal progress. It has also helped them build stronger, more trusting relationships with grown-ups, strengthening the support networks they need as they move into adulthood themselves.

The charity says demand for mentoring support continues to grow, with many young people currently waiting to be matched with a mentor, and they are calling on local people to come forward.

Dawn Kershaw, volunteer coordinator at Northorpe Hall said: “By building confidence and offering consistent support, our volunteers help young people develop trust, independence and hope for the future.

“We have young people waiting for support, and every new volunteer mentor means another young person can access a relationship that can make a real difference.”

This evening’s event takes place from 5pm to 7pm at the Northorpe Lane charity’s base in Mirfield, WF14 0QL.

People should contact [email protected] to add their name to the attendance list.