Meet James, who stepped outside his comfort zone to help young people with their mental health

When James first learned about zero2hero’s Camp Hero program from his friends at university, he didn’t realise that by signing up as a volunteer, he would make memories that would stay with him for life.

His friends told him all about their amazing experiences as a Camp Hero mentor, and thought he would enjoy camp and make a good mentor for the young campers. This was enough to make him sign up as a volunteer mentor, and he hasn’t looked back.

zero2hero runs various camps for young heroes, which educate, engage, and empower young people to become mental health leaders and prevent suicide in Western Australia. And they couldn’t run these camps without the help of Camp Mentors, who guide, encourage, and support young leaders as they build on their resilience, self-awareness, and leadership skills.

James told us all about his experience as a Camp Mentor, including special memories, what he’s learnt, and his message for other people who are considering volunteering.

What is involved in your role as a Camp Hero mentor?

I just tried to be a positive role model for the young campers, through just being my genuine self around them and the other mentors. I think creating a comfortable space for the campers to tell us about them and their life is important. I also tried to be part of the action, when random moments of fun occurred.

How has mentoring at Camp Hero helped you?

Mentoring at Camp Hero was one of the best weeks of my life. The energy that camp fosters is magical. Being present without distractions (phones), made for some incredible moments shared with the coolest people. One underrated skill I learnt is how to have fun more often!

What was one thing you learned through volunteering with zero2hero?

I learnt how fulfilling volunteering is, through feeling like my presence has made a positive impact on young people. I also learnt a lot about teenagers, their current struggles and how much they yearn for connection when given the opportunity.

Can you share a specific moment where you saw the direct impact of your volunteering?

Towards the end of camp, one of the boys from my mentor group gave me a letter that he wrote, expressing his appreciation for me as his mentor, which meant a lot.

How about a moment where you’ve really enjoyed yourself while at camp?

On the last night of camp, I remember sitting down a long table which connected everyone together. We shared the last dinner together, which was super fun! Reflecting on the camp experience, laughing and realising the genuine connections that were built in such a short time!

What’s one lesson you’d love people to take away from your volunteering experience, or supporting young people?

Volunteering your time for a cause like mental health, or anything you are passionate about is an experience that you will never regret!

What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a mentor?

I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about becoming a mentor. I think it is such a valuable experience, to see the impact programs like Camp Hero have on young people first hand. I have taken away so much from mentoring, so many amazing memories. Mentoring was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I did it!