Employee Information
WELCOME
byMarkFarmer CEO
Founded in 1974 by Brian Jackson, a passionate advocate for underprivileged children and their families, Fresh Futures has evolved alongside the changing needs of family life Brian’s vision continues to drive us forward as we expand our offerings and adapt to support children and families from all walks of life
Today, Fresh Futures thrives with over 100 dedicated employees and 150 committed volunteers Guided by a skilled Senior Leadership Team and overseen by a devoted Board of Trustees, our organisation is powered by people who care deeply about making a difference
Thank you for being part of this journey Together, we’ll continue to build brighter futures for every child
A FRESH FUTURES
WhatisFresh Futures?
Inanutshell:
FreshFuturesisaregionalcharitythatsupportsvulnerableand disadvantagedchildrenandyoungpeople,andtheirfamilies, withinKirkleesandsurroundingareas Ourvisionisforallchildren andyoungpeopletohaveopportunitiesforabetterlife,nowand inthefuture.
Establishedin1974
Operatingacross4SitesinHuddersfield,BatleyandHeckmondwike
3AlternativeProvisionColleges(2pre-16and1post-16)
2CommunityBuildingsinBatley&Huddersfield(withspacesforhire)
HeadofficeatBrianJacksonHouse,Huddersfield
SeveralChildren&FamilyServicesmeetingtoday’smostcrucialneeds ReliantonSupporters,GrantsandTrusts
Workingtowards‘ImprovingLives&InspiringChange’ On-sitecaféinHuddersfield
OUR VISION
Allyoungpeoplehaveopportunitiesforabetter lifenowandinthefuture’
Charitable Objectives:
To support disadvantaged and vulnerable children, young people, and their families by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of educational, physical, and other activities as a means of:
Advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities, and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature, and responsible individuals; Advancing education; Relieving unemployment; Improving health and wellbeing of children and young people; Promoting positive, meaningful, and healthy relationships; and Providing recreational and leisure time activity in the interests of social welfare for people who have need by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty, or social and economic circumstances with a view to improving the conditions of life of such persons.
OurValues
Wemakesurethateveryonefromall communitiescanaccessourservices easily INCLUSIVE
Weempowerandsupporteveryoneto makeapositivedifferenceintheirown lives EMPOWERING
Weputthewell-beingofourstaff, volunteersandserviceusersattheheart ofeverythingwedo CARING
TRUSTED
Wedowhatwesaywearegoingtodoforour clients,customerspartnersandfunders We respectpersonalandsensitiveinformation andkeepitconfidential.
Weareafriendlyandopenorganisationwho listenstotheviewsofthepeoplewework with APPROACHABLE
KeyTerms
Key Actions
Wecare
Weempower
Weenable
Wesupport
Weeducate
Welisten
Wenurture
Weinspire
Weareinclusive
Wearehere
Key Words
Charity
Regional Kirklees(&surroundingareas)
Communities
Children
YoungPeople
Empowering
Inclusive
Approachable
Key Points
Wearearegisteredcharity
Werelyonthegenerosityofotherstoraisethe fundsneededtodeliverourservices
Improvinglives
Inspiringchange
Childrenandyoungpeoplefocused
Wehavefourstrandsofwork–Education, Health&Wellbeing,Employability&Skills,and Relationships
Weimproveoutcomesfordisadvantagedand vulnerablechildrenandyoungpeople
Equalityofopportunities
Drivingsocialjustice
Preventingisolationandloneliness
Promotingrespectfulrelationships
Caring Trusted Families Education
Earlyintervention
Nurture
Respected
Inspire
ImproveLives
BoardofTrustees
FreshFuturesisgovernedbyaBoardofTrustees, ledbytheChairofTrustees,LucyJackson
SeniorLeadershipTeam
The charity is then managed by the Senior Leadership Team, which is headed by the CEO.
MarkFarmer
CEO
Headteacher
JulieWatt
ChangeisNeeded
Thecharity isfounded toimprovethequality of childcare
Thecharity’sfirst alternativeprovision collegeopensitsdoors
100% of registered childmindershad attendedsomeform of traininginchildcare
HelpforHomeless Families
Thecharity establishes a‘Homebase’ project tohelp familiesin hostelsandB&Bscope andstay safe
BrianJacksoncollapsed anddiedaged50in HuddersfieldonSunday 03July 1983,whilst participatinginarunfor thecharity
Thecharity getsahuge new homeintheheart of Huddersfield
MeetingLocal Needs Children’sRights
Thecharity opensa secondbuildingto delivermoreservices tolocalcommunities
Abigfocuson supportingfamilies goingthrough separationtoreduce thenegativeimpact experiencedby children
NationalChildren’s Centrechangesits nametoYorkshire Children’sCentre (YCC)
Severalcharity shops opentoraisemoney forthecharity In operationuntil2023
Thecharity isdirectly involvedindraftingthe act that recognised children’srightsand needs
Covid-19impactsthe charity onahugescale; withthelevelof need soaring.Staff and volunteersworktirelessly throughthecharity’s toughest period.
Anew leadership team is formedandtheChildren &Family Servicesteam is restructuredforamore holistic approachto serviceuse
the Duchess of York visits Brian Jackson House to meet pupils, service users and staff
Thecharity becomes FreshFutures- aname that betterreflectsthe visionandgoals
Duetoincreasing needs,asecond alternativeprovision opens,andan employability skills programmeis developed.
BrianJacksonCollege expandedtoincludea post-16alternative provisionforpupilsaged 16-18years
Severalkey events markhalf acentury of serviceprovisionby thecharity
OUR SERVICES
Stay&Play
contactus@freshfuturesorguk 07849398709
Freeinpersonsessionsforparentstoengage, whilsttheirchildrenplay.
TheStay&Playserviceoffersanopportunityforparentsand carerstocometogetherinasafeenvironmentwhilsttheiryoung childrenplayanddevelopskills
Weruntwodifferentsessions(termtimeonly).Onegeneral,and onespecificallyforyoungparents
Tuesdays,10:30am-12pm, Openforchildrenaged0-5andtheir parents/carers.
Thursdays,1030am-12pn Opentoyoungparentsonly(aged1826years)andtheirchildrenaged0-5.
Refreshmentsandhealthysnacksareprovided
Elevate
elevate@freshfuturesorguk 01484415465
Developingyoungpeople’sconfidence, self-esteem&socialskills.
Foryoungadultsaged18–26,living inKirkleeswhowanttomakemore socialconnectionsanddeveloptheir confidence Inparticularwehelpyoungpeople whoarestrugglingtofind employmentorfurthereducation opportunities,asweknowthisgroup canfeelinvisibleandinneedof empowerment.
Wecreateandfacilitateregular groupsandevents,offeringthe chancetomeetnewpeopleand socialise Youngpeoplecanalso initiateideasandmakedecisions aboutthedirectionoftheservice,as partofourThinkingGroup,which helpsthemgainvaluableskillsand experienceforfutureemployment
Wecanalsooffer1:1peersupport
Employability
elevate@freshfuturesorguk 01484415465
Helpingyoungadultsaged18–26begintheir journeytowardsfindingemployment.
Overthecourseofoneweek,participants buildaskillsettohelpthembuild confidenceaboutfindingemployment.
Theprogrammefocussesonbuildingcore employabilityskills,e.g.,CVwriting, interviewtechniquesandhowtoresearch forjobs Theprogrammemayinvolvetrips out,visitingguestspeakersorlearning new,creativeskills.
AftercompletingourProgramme, participantscanchoosetoundertake10 daysofvoluntaryworkoraplacement withanemployerfromacrossKirkleesto helpbuildexperience Placementsare tailoredtopersonalcareergoals
Participantswillreceiveafreeluncheach day,andwillhaveaccesstotheElevate programme,too
Community Champions
community@freshfuturesorguk 01484415465
FosteringhealthierfamiliesinBatley&Spen
OurCommunityChampionshavebeenaroundsince2021, whentheysupportedindividualsthroughoutCovidandits lastingimpact.Sincethen,wehavebeenworkingwith variousfunderstoshareotherimportanthealthmessaging withthecommunitiesofBatleyandSpen.
KirkleesFamilies Together(KFT)
community@freshfuturesorguk 01484415465
Weholdfree,innovativeandengagingeventsallyearroundfor familiesinNorthKirklees.FromfamilyfundaysinBatleyand Birstall,toSENDsupportdaysinHeckmondwike,KFTexiststo helptheNorthKirkleescommunityfeelmoreconnected This helpsusunderstandthevoicesandresourceswithindifferent communities.
FamilyTime
children-familyservices@freshfuturesorguk 01484519988
Supervisedandsupportedparentandchild contactsessions.
Theserviceisforparents,grandparentsorotherfamilymembers whoarenolongerlivingwiththeirchildren Aservicesuchasours canarrangefamilytimeinasafeandsecureenvironment.We providearangeofresourcessuchastoysandgamestoenable familytimetobeapositiveexperience
Familytimecentreshelpwhentherearesafetyconsiderations.It supportsbuildingtrustandreliabilitybetweenparentsand carers Wecanhelpwhenparentsorcarersneedtimetoagree alternativeplans,orwhenrelationshipsneedsupporttodevelop, tobenefitthechild.
Wealsoofferhandoverservicesandletterbox(indirect)contact
HealthyStart
healthandwellbeing@freshfuturesorguk 01484415465
Womenover10weekspregnantandchildren under4maybeentitledtohelptowards
ThoseeligiblereceiveaHealthyStart cardwithmoneyloadedontoitthat canbespentinUKshops.Thecard isautomaticallytoppedupevery4 weeks
Thecardcanbeusedtobuycow’s milk,infantformula,fresh,frozen, andtinnedfruitandvegetablesand fresh,dried,andtinnedpulses
Thecardcanalsobeusedtocollect freeHealthyStartMaternalvitamins, orHealthyStartvitamindropsfor youngchildren.
Safetyinthe Home
healthandwellbeing@freshfuturesorguk 01484415465
Reducingpreventablehomeaccidentsthrough educationandtheprovisionandinstallationof homesafetyequipment.
Eligiblefamiliesreceivesupportto maketheirhomessaferthroughthe provisionand/orinstallationof safetygates,fireguards,bathmats, cupboardlocks,cornercushionsand cordwinders
Wefocusonthetop5mostcommon childhoodaccidentsthatoccurin thehome: slips,tripsandfalls, burnsandscalds, poisoning, fire strangulation.
Ourfittersprovidefamilieswith information&adviceonhowto reducetheserisks.Everyeligible familyalsoreceivesafreehomefire safetycheck,whichcanresultin smokedetectorsbeingfitted
ChildAccident Prevention
healthandwellbeing@freshfutures.org.uk 01484415465
Teachingadultshowtoreducerisksandkeep childrensafeviafreee-learningtrainingcourses.
Thee-learningcourseenablesparents,carersandpractitioners to:
Identifyrisksinthehomeandelsewherethatarethecommon causesofchildhoodaccidents
Describestepsyouareabletotakeinordertoreducetherisk andpreventchildhoodaccidents
Tobeconfidentinmakingchangesorsupportingfamiliesto makechanges,tokeepchildrensafer
Thetrainingtakesapproximately30–40minutestocomplete. Oncompletionyouwillreceiveacertificate
BrianJackson Collegepre-16
HUDDbjcadmin@FreshFuturesorguk
HECKwhadmin@freshfuturesorguk
HUDD01484431962
HECK01924408306
Alternativeprovisioneducationforyoungpeople
FreshFuturesoperatestwopre-16 alternativeprovisioncollegesthat welcomestudentswhohavefound thatmainstreameducationisn’tfor themandarefacingexclusion
Thecolleges,locatedinHuddersfield andHeckmondwike,supportpupils withsocial,emotionalandmental healthdifficulties.
Thecollegesaimtoinspireallour pupilstobemotivatedand successfulcitizens,equippedtomeet thechallengesoftodayand tomorrow Wehavecreateda positiveenvironmentthatoffersa freshstartandencouragesand promotespupils’academic,social, moral,spiritualandculturallearning
BrianJackson Collegepost-16
bjcadmin@freshfutures.org.uk 01924408306
Alongsideourtwopre-16provisions,BrianJacksonCollege openedapost-16collegein2024whichprovidesyoungpeople aged16-18withtheopportunitytolearn,gainqualifications, developlifeskillsandaccesshealthandwell-beingsupport.
Thepost-16provisionboastsanequippedconstructionarea wherepupilscanlearnplumbing,joineryanddecorating, alongsideavehiclemaintenanceareasupportingthosewho wouldlikeacareerinmechanics.Furthermorethereisafully installedkitchenwhereyoungpeoplegainhands-oncooking experienceandanintroductiontohealthyeating
Thecollegealsoteachescoresubjectstodevelopliteracyand numeracyskillsandhastrainedstaffinplacetoworkwitheach pupil’sindividualspecialeducationneeds(SEN)
INCOME GENERATION
ABOUTTHE INCOME& ENGAGEMENTTEAM
HERETOSUPPORTYOURSERVICES
Based at Brian Jackson House, our Income and Engagement Team is integrated into every aspect of Fresh Futures. We work closely with service teams to understand priorities and develop comprehensive fundraising plans From organising events to securing grants, mobilising volunteers, and attracting corporate funding, we’re heretosupportyourmission
FUNDRAISING&EVENTS
Our team specialises in designing events that engage the community and raise essential funds In the past, we’ve hosted fashion shows, networking events, coffee mornings, children’s activities, and our annual Christmas gift campaign all aimed at supporting the causes Fresh Futureschampions
CORPORATEPROJECTS
Building strong connections with local businessesisattheheartofwhatwedo We work with companies like Cummins to enhance Fresh Futures’ reach and secure support from the business community, creating opportunities for unrestricted funding and greater awarenessofourmissionandneeds
VOLUNTEERING
With a dedicated cohort of over 100 volunteers, our team coordinates various projects across the charity These passionate volunteers have helped with renovations, gardening projects, festive campaigns,andmore,offeringtheirskills and time to make a tangible difference inthelivesofthosewesupport
COMMUNITYPROJECTS
Our team actively engages in the community to raise awareness and connect service users with Fresh Futures By networking with other organisations, holding awareness campaigns,andevenfundraisingonthe go, we work to ensure that our services reachthosewhoneedthemmost
SOCIALMEDIA&MARKETING
Managing the social media and marketing for the whole charity, the IncomeandEngagementTeamconnects
Fresh Futures with the public and potential supporters From creative posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to new video content on YouTube, we’re dedicated to amplifying our message andshowcasingourimpacteveryday
VOLUNTEERING
Ourvolunteershelptoenrichtheservicesweofferby supportingourworkwithchildren,youngpeople,families, adultsandolderpeople.
TheFreshFutures’Volunteerteamworksacrossallservicestofacilitate volunteeringopportunitiesthatseebenefitsacrossthecharity.Thiscan include:
AssistingFamilyTime(ChildContact)sessions
Providingstafftraining
ChristmascampaignsprojectssuchasGiftAppealmanagement
Stay&Playsessionvolunteers
Ad-Hocdecorating/manuallabourprojects
SocialMediadedicatedhours(onlinevolunteering)
Servicevolunteers-suchasbefrienders
Gardenersgroup
Office volunteers (working in our centres to support our workloads whilstgainingworkexperience
MUCHMUCHMORE
Ifyouthinkthattheserviceyouworkincouldbenefitfromvolunteering, pleasecontactVolunteer@freshfutures.org.uk
TENANTEDSPACES& ROOMSFORHIRE
Within the Fresh Futures Charity’s buildings, right in the centre of Huddersfield andBatley,arefullyequippedroomsandeventspacesthatareavailableforrent, 100%oftheproceedsfromallroomrentalsgoesstraightintothecharity'spot,to supportevenmoremembersofthelocalcommunity.
YOU& FRESH FUTURES
ONE CHARITY
ONE TEAM
Freshfuturesismadeupofover100employeesacrossseveral differentsitesandservices.
Nomatterwhichserviceyoushowupforeveryday,everysingle memberofFreshFuturesisapartofoneunitedteam.
Byunderstandingallofthecharity’sservices-notjusttheonewe routinelyworkfor-weareinabetterpositiontoensurethatour serviceusersaccessALLofthehelptheyrequireandgetaholistic approachtotheirsupport,viasignpostingandco-working.
Our‘oneteaminductiondays’,‘oneteamawaydays’,and‘one teamsocialevents’supportour‘oneteamculture’whereweall collectivelyworktowardsouronegoal,to‘improvelivesand inspirechange’.
Weworkbettertogether.
FreshFutures Employee Benefits
FreshFuturesiscommittedtobeingagreatemployer.That’swhythecharity hasmadeseveralcommitmentsoverthepastfewyears.
ThisincludesbecomingavoluntarymemberoftheLivingWageFoundation, offeringFREE24/7EAPsupporttoallstaffandtheirfamilies,andestablishing anemployeeforum
EMPLOYEE FORUM
REPRESENTATIVES?
Members of the forum meet 6 times per year to discuss all business matters and raise questions, concerns and requests directly with the charity's CEO.
RESPONSIBILITES
Seekopinionspriorto meetingstosupportfair decisionmaking
Confidentiallyraisematters andfindsolutionsfortheir teams
Cascadeimportant informationgivenout duringthesemeetings
MAKING AN IMPACT CASESTUDIES.
EMPOWERINGFUTURES:HOWFRESHFUTURES’
EMPLOYABILITYPROGRAMMEHELPEDLIBBIE BUILDHERDREAMCAREER
Finding a fulfilling career can be daunting, especially when lacking confidence and direction For Libbie, a beauty enthusiast with a passion for beauty therapy, the path forward wasn’t clear Unsure of how to turn her interest into a career, she turned to Fresh Futures’ Employability Program
Withtheirguidance,Libbietransformedherpassionintoathrivingbusiness,PamperedPerfection Libbie first heard about Fresh Futures’ programme through her family She was unsure of her future, expecting to end up on a different path entirely Although she initially expected a formal, classroom-styleexperience,shewasdelightedtofindanopenandfriendlyenvironmentwhereher confidencebegantogrow
was new red ers she nal ore for She nts, the am one get m,” ap. me, p in bie ess ow ws. the e I kes ely
FAMILYTIME:CREATINGASAFEENVIRONMENT FORPARENTSANDTHEIRCHILDREN
Fresh Futures received a referral for two separated parents, Priya and Raj, who needed support duringcontacttimewiththeirfour-yearoldson,Aarav Thereferralstressedafocusonsupporting positive family time following a difficult separation Priya and Raj had previously experienced high levelsofconflict,withpastallegationsmadebyPriyabutdeniedbyRaj
In order to share custody of Aarav in a safe and supportive way, Priya and Raj required their contacttimewiththeirsontotakeplaceatFreshFutures’FamilyTimecentre Thecentreprovided asafespacewhereAaravcouldspendmeaningfultimewithbothofhisparents,undersupervision andinapositiveenvironment
Introductory meetings with each parent took place separately, which gave both Priya and Raj the opportunity to share any concerns with the Fresh Futures team Fresh Futures then created a structured plan to encourage Priya and Raj to work together positively Aarav’s wellbeing was the priority, and the team focused on building a comfortable family time routineforhim
To help Aarav feel comfortable, a session was arrangedwherehecouldmeetthestaffwhowouldbe present during Family Time This introductory session allowed Aarav to get used to the room, playing with toys and having fun Priya attended this supervised session, appearing happy with the arrangement and reassuredbythesupportiveenvironment
During the following sessions, Aarav spent time with Raj, who displayed positive parenting and effective communication. Staff noted that Aarav seemed to enjoytheseinteractionsandwashappytospendtime withhisfather.
Priya and Raj also participated in a positive coparentingmeeting,agreeingtofocusonAarav’sneeds and keep communication open through a dedicated parenting app Both parents agreed to a ‘handover’ plan to help ease future transitions, starting at Brian Jackson House, and moving gradually to a more independentarrangement
Aftersixsuccessful,supportedsessions,thefamilyisnowabletocarryouthandoversindependently ThisprogressmarksapositivestepforwardforAaravandthefamily’sco-parentingjourney
EARLYINTERVENTIONANDCHILDACCIDENT PREVENTION:SUPPORTINGSAFETYINTHEHOME
Claire,asinglemumofone,waspreparingforherdaughterMiatoreturnhomeafterbeingincare for a period of time Mia was on a Child Protection Plan, which stated that Claire needed to make changestothehometomakeitsafer,beforeMiacouldreturn
To help with this, Claire was referred by her social worker to Fresh Futures’ Safety in the Home service TheteamatFreshFuturesworkedcloselywithalltheprofessionalsinvolvedtounderstand whatwasneededforMia’ssafereturnandhowtheycouldbestsupportClaire
Fresh Futures arranged a home visit Fitter’, who met Claire and her soc SafetyFittercarriedoutanassessment was rated as ‘high risk’ with imminent required. The home was checked fo hazards, and they discussed ways to m safer, encouraging simple but importa reducerisksforMia
Following the assessment, Fresh Fu safety equipment, including two extra andtwonewsmokedetectors,anda“F check was completed to make sure safe Furthermore, by building a re Claire, the team at Fresh Futures i services that Claire could benefit from including DAPP ISS support, provid approachtoClaire’ssupportjourney
Claire’shomewasreassessed,andreceiveda‘low risk’ rating by the time Fresh Futures had completed their work This meant that most immediate dangers had been removed and the right steps had been taken so that Mia could returnhome
A little while later, Fresh Futures followed up with Claire and was delighted to hear that Mia was now living full-time with her Claire also shared thatshewasnowgettingadditionalsupportfrom other services within Fresh Futures’, which was a crucialpartofherongoingsupportplan
Thankstothisteameffort,Miawasabletocomehomesafely,andMumnowhasastrongsupport networktohelpherkeepthingssafeandstableforthemboth.
BRIANJACKSONCOLLEGE:SUPPORTING SPECIALEDUCATIONALNEEDS(SEN)
James, a 15-year-old student with ADHD, joined Brian Jackson College with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place to support his educational journey Diagnosed with ADHD and facing social challenges, James struggled with peer relationships and regulating his emotions Upon his arrival, staff at the college conducted thorough assessments using Boxall profiling and SNAP,allowingthemtogainaholisticunderstandingofhisemotional,social,andacademicneeds
To help James build confidence and form social connections, he was introduced to Lego Therapy, an interactive approach that encourages teamwork and communication skills. Through this programme and other targeted interventions, James began to form his firstsignificantfriendshipwithintheschool,developing trust and social skills that he hadn’t previously experienced Regular sessions with his pastoral worker also provided him with a safe space to discuss his progress and challenges, further reinforcing his selfesteem
To encourage positive behaviours, James benefited from a rewards system that celebrated his achievements, big or small Recognised for meeting classroom expectations, he received encouragement and praise that motivated him to stay engaged and focusedonhisgoals
Thecollegealsoworkedtocreateanenvironment that accommodated James’s specific needs
Recognising his sensitivity to sensory overload, staff identified a quiet room where he could go during breaks or lunchtime, allowing him to recharge and regulate without distractions Ear defenders were also made available to help him manageoverstimulationwhennecessary
Today, James has shown remarkable progress, not only academically but in his social development and self-confidence Thanks to the individualised support from Brian Jackson College, he is better prepared to navigate future challenges and take meaningful steps towards independence
G E T I N V O L V E D
SOCIAL MEDIA
Oneofthequickestandeasiestwaysto growawarenessofourcharity,reachout topotentialsponsors,andinformas manymembersofthecommunityas possibleaboutwayswecanprovide support,isthroughsocialmedia.
FreshFutureshasaccountsacross Facebook,Instagram,Twitter,LinkedIn andYouTube(Search @FreshFutures charity).
HelpsupportFreshFuturesnow,byliking orfollowingtheaccounts,andsharing postsasoftenaspossible
Anddon'tforgettotagusinyourFresh Futuresrelatedpostsbyusingthe hashtag#FreshFutures
