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As debate continues around the effect social media has on young people's mental health, Mirfield charity Northorpe Hall Child + Family Trust are shining a light on something that can have a more positive impact: trusted adult relationships.
Many young people today are facing pressures that cause anxiety, reduced engagement with school or work, and feelings of isolation, leaving them feeling like they can’t cope and don’t know where to turn for help.
This is why the right support at the right time is vital, and the charity say their Mentoring @ Northorpe programme demonstrates what this looks like in practice.
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 say 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 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.”
Northorpe are hosting a volunteer recruitment event next week, giving 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.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday 24 th June
Location: The Northorpe Barn, Northorpe Lane, Mirfield, WF14 0QL
Time: 5 – 7pm
Registration: https://bit.ly/3LELmPC
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer mentor can attend the event or find out more at www.northorpe.com
