Mirfield support service expands

The Northorpe Hall Trust has recently converted an empty office unit in Huddersfield town centre into the Northorpe Centre, which will focus on improving the emotional wellbeing of children.

The space in the Packhorse Centre had been empty for over a decade before the charity took action, and it will now act as a base for counselling, mentoring, group work and therapy services for youngsters aged 5-18.

The expansion will give the Trust a Huddersfield site alongside its main Mirfield base, and it is hoped the centre will support 60 children each week through appointments and after-school activities. Volunteers are needed to work with children and families and deal with the hundreds of requests for help received each month by staff.

Trust director Tom Taylor said:

“Most young people experience periods of confusion, anxiety and distressing thoughts and feelings - it’s all part of growing up. Most feel better after talking about it with a friend or family member, someone at school or a youth worker. However, sometimes things don’t improve and begin to affect everyday life. When this happens it can be helpful to have some time with a trained, experienced support worker, who is able to help you work out what’s going on and find a way to deal with it.

To find out more about volunteering, visit www.northorpehall.co.uk.