Kirklees trust pays tribute to tireless volunteers

A Kirklees charity has paid tribute to its army of volunteers who dedicate their time to improving the lives of youngsters with mental health issues.

Mirfield-based Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust is an independent charity that relies heavily on donations and volunteers to enable them to provide emotional and mental health services to children, young people and their families.

To honour the 49 volunteers who work with the trust, a celebration event was held at the Northorpe Barn recently.

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Volunteers support the site and event as well as the development of the outside space, painting and helping with DIY projects.

Since April 2015, its family support volunteers and volunteer mentors, which are funded by Kirklees Council, have supported 47 local families or young people, usually spending on average around two hours with the person they are supporting.

The trust has four dedicated therapy rooms that its mentors and volunteers can use for those needing help.

Tom Taylor, director at Northorpe Hall Child & Family Trust, said: “All our volunteers pay an instrumental role in what we do at the Trust.

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“Without their support, dedication and care, we wouldn’t be able to reach out to so many young people as we are able to.

“Most of the time, people just need someone who is there for them, that listens, can support them and guide them to help them get back on track.

“It’s now our turn to give something back to our volunteers and say thank you for their dedication and support.

“We’re also grateful to the Co-op (Old Bank Road, Mirfield) and Joseph Sheard Funeral Directors who provided food for the event.”

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Volunteers at the charity come from varied backgrounds, from students (over-18), retired people, professionals, people who have raised their own children and want to help others as well as those who are looking to retrain in the field of supporting young people and want to gain some experience.

In July, the Trust opened a new centre in The Packhorse Centre in Huddersfield as an extension to its facilities in Mirfield.

The trust is hosting a recruitment evening on Thursday, November 17 (6-8pm).

For more information, call 01942 492183 or e-mail [email protected].