Volunteering As A Mentor At Northorpe: Becki’s Story

Volunteers are at the heart of organisations like Northorpe, yet in the UK only one in three adults volunteer regularly. With demand for support higher than ever, we’re hoping to help more people take the first step towards making a real difference.

One of those people is Becki Mantell, a volunteer mentor here at Northorpe Hall. We asked her to share, why she chose to volunteer, what the journey has been like so far, and why she believes mentoring is so important for both young people and volunteers:

My main motivation for becoming a volunteer was my long-term goal of becoming a counsellor for young people. I wanted first-hand experience of working with teenagers who face a wide range of challenges, and this role felt like the perfect place to start.

It’s allowed me to really develop my listening skills, without the pressure of feeling like I need to have all the answers. Instead, the focus is on being present, consistent, and supportive, which I think is incredibly valuable.

On a more personal level, I didn’t have the easiest time during my own teenage years. There were a lot of changes happening in a short space of time, and the school system didn’t really work for me. I eventually became home educated, which was mostly self-taught.

During that time, one person who made a huge difference to me was my head of year, Gwen. She was firm but fair, and always willing to listen. Looking back now, I can really recognise how impactful her influence was on me, and in many ways volunteering has felt like a way of paying that energy forward to someone else.

What really attracted me to Northorpe was that it’s local and convenient, but more importantly, it strongly aligns with my own ethics and morals. I truly believe that every young person has the right to be heard and valued, and that ethos runs through everything the charity does.

I first heard about them through my sister-in-law and emailed on the off chance that they might need a volunteer, not realising they were actually recruiting at the time. Everything moved surprisingly quickly from there. I got onto the training really fast and was matched with my young person just before Christmas.

The training experience was really positive. I particularly enjoyed the e-learning aspect, as it allowed me to work through the material at my own pace and in my own time at home. Some of the content was really eye-opening. One session that stood out to me focused on mental health and teenagers. It wasn’t just the topic itself, but the range of people involved, all with different backgrounds and expertise, coming together to share knowledge.

The matching process felt very straightforward and well thought out. Even when I was given two potential options, I felt confident that either would have worked because of how tailored the process was. When I met my young person, we clicked straight away, which helped put us both at ease.

I was matched just before Christmas and now meet with my young person on a weekly basis. Although we’ve only had a few sessions so far, I’ve already learned how important flexibility is. In one instance, we identified a particular need during a session, but when we came to address it the following week, my young person just wasn’t ready, and that was absolutely fine.

This kind of support works best when it happens on their terms. Being able to adapt in the moment helps build trust and shows the young person that they’re in control of their own journey.

One thing that’s been particularly important in my role is the fact that I’m a volunteer rather than a paid worker. My young person specifically requested a volunteer, and I think that says a lot.

For them, it was a way of testing whether someone was there for the right reasons. It’s not a reflection on paid workers at all, but for a young person who finds it difficult to trust people, knowing that someone is choosing to be there can make a big difference in how safe the relationship feels.

Meanwhile, supervision has also been a really strong part of my experience. You’re always striving to give the best possible support, and you can’t do that without reflecting and identifying areas for growth. There’s no expectation to know everything, and supervision offers genuine one-to-one support. It’s a private space to talk things through, voice concerns, gain reassurance, and be signposted to additional resources when needed.

Northorpe has also supported me in practical ways, including providing a reference for the job I’m currently doing. It’s reassuring to know that the organisation recognises the value of its volunteers and is willing to support their wider development and future goals.

If I could say one thing to anyone thinking about volunteering, it would be this: being a trusted person in a young person’s life, especially when they’re facing challenges with their social or emotional wellbeing, can make a huge difference. You don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is consistency, empathy, and a willingness to listen and adapt to the young person’s needs.

Volunteering with Northorpe has been a really rewarding experience for me, both personally and professionally, and I’m grateful to be part of a service that truly values young people and the people who support them.

Are you interested in volunteering with Northorpe?

To inspire more people to get involved, we're hosting a Volunteer Drive on Tuesday 27th January 2026 at The Northorpe Barn, 53 Northorpe Lane, Mirfield, WF14 0QL.

There will be two events to try and allow as many people to attend as possible: 1pm and 6pm.

You'll be able to hear:

• Case studies from young people who have benefited from mentoring.

• Stories and insights from current volunteers.

• Details about the application process.

• And have the chance to ask any questions you may have.

There are also opportunities to support our work in other ways, and we'll be discussing those on the day. Additional options could include site support, office help, content for marketing, and even future trustee roles. No prior experience is required – just a willingness to invest time and help transform young lives!

Interested in joining? Register your interest here: https://bit.ly/3LELmPC or email support@northorpe.com if you have any questions.