Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.
This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Alan who volunteers as a Community Friend. We caught up with Alan to hear about his Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…
Tell us a bit about yourself:
My name is Alan Moore, I was widowed in 1995 so I have some understanding of the effects losing someone close has. I am a retired engineer working for local company, Thomas Broadbent.
Tell us about a typical day in your role:
My usual volunteering day is a visit to the gym trying to keep fit, home for lunch then off to my friend to help him pass the afternoon.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures?
I was looking for something rewarding, worthwhile and fulfilling to help pass some of the spare time I now have.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures?
For anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say DO IT. It gives me purpose to my visiting days and I get a lot out of our friendship. So much so that I am looking at trying to find another opportunity.
Alan Moore – Volunteer of the Month
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Alan, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
Fresh Futures proudly operates two alternative provision colleges that offer a safe haven for students who’ve found that mainstream education isn’t the right fit and may be facing exclusion.
Located in Huddersfield and Heckmondwike, our colleges are dedicated to supporting pupils with social, emotional, and mental health challenges, giving them the tools they need to succeed.
We’re absolutely delighted to have launched our very first post-16 provision in Heckmondwike at the end of October! At Brian Jackson College, our mission is simple: to create a nurturing, motivating environment where every student can flourish.
Our new post-16 offering is designed to provide a bespoke educational experience that aligns with each student’s unique interests, needs, and aspirations for the future.
Jenny Netherwood, Head of Post-16 commented:
“I am delighted to introduce myself as the Head of the brand-new Post 16 provision at Heckmondwike. The provision will have an official opening later this term and staff are busily preparing for the arrival of the first ever set of learners!”
What Can You Expect from Our Post-16 Vocational Hub?
Our vocational hub offers an exciting range of opportunities. Every student is assigned a personal tutor who they’ll meet with daily, ensuring they always have the support they need.
The College boasts large, welcoming spaces to both study and socialise, creating a genuine sense of community. Our staff, highly trained in their respective fields, are passionate about sharing their knowledge.
Plus, we offer on-site access to counselling, career advice from external specialists, and enrichment sessions that provide a real taste of the working world.
the entrance to the post-16 centre
Here’s a glimpse at the courses available at our post-16 vocational hub:
Hairdressing
Barbering
Employability skills
Construction
Food technology
Motor vehicle maintenance
And of course, all courses include essential Maths and English!
What Will Students Achieve with Us?
By the end of their time at Brian Jackson College, students will:
Secure a positive destination—whether that’s employment, further education, or training
Have had their individual needs fully addressed to ensure success
Gain accredited certificates that demonstrate their knowledge and skills
Achieve qualifications in Maths and English (Functional Skills or GCSEs)
Complete entry-level SFLE through enriching experiences
the student break room at the post 16 centre
A Chat with Michael Winder – Our Enthusiastic Car Mechanics Teacher
We recently caught up with Michael Winder, our passionate car mechanics teacher, to hear more about his journey:
“At the College, my classroom is a high-octane mix of jokes, hands-on projects, and the occasional misplaced socket wrench. My ADHD means every lesson feels like an adventure—one minute you’re learning about engine timing, and the next we are in a conversation about how tanks are just really big cars with better paint jobs. Dyslexia? No problem. When the textbook gets confusing, I throw it aside and says, “Let’s make our own manual!”
I am excited for this next chapter at the post-16 offering and can’t wait to find my next exciting project—probably trying to fit a jet engine onto a go-kart, with a cup of coffee in hand, of course.”
In 2023, Leeds based publishing company Emerald hosted numerous charity events and raised an incredible £12,252 for Fresh Futures.
Emerald has a passionate team of volunteers who worked to coordinate several varied events that would allow all employees of the company to get involved with the fundraising efforts.
A few of the events held by Emerald included a sponsored walk, crafting events, a craft makers market, and skills workshops hosted by employees! One team member even opened his farm up to teach people about lambing!
Pictures of Emerald’s fundraising efforts
In addition to the events, numerous Emerald employees donated through payroll giving. Payroll giving is a way to contribute to a chosen charity each month without paying tax on the donation.
If your company is be interested in supporting Fresh Futures through payroll giving, you can find more information here.
When asked why they wanted to support Fresh Futures, Tamsyn Johnston-Hughes, Internal Communications Lead, said “Being a West Yorkshire business, Fresh Futures was a charity that we were passionate to support, especially as we also focus on education, and working towards supporting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in striving to not leave anyone behind”.
Fresh Futures would love to send a huge thank you to the team at Emerald for their donation and deciding to support Fresh Futures this year and every penny received from donations helps us make a significant and lasting impact on the services we can deliver across Kirklees. Check out Emerald on Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Tree of Wishes at Brian Jackson House
Are you interested in supporting a charity on the run up to Christmas?
Why not get involved in our Tree of Wishes Appeal! We are kindly asking businesses to sponsor a bauble for £50, in exchange for your generous donation, we will display a bauble with your company logo, on a Christmas tree displayed at Brian Jackson House.
If you would like more information or to support Fresh Futures, please contact us on [email protected] or call us on 01484 519988.
Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.
This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Liyan who volunteers as a data analyst at Fresh Futures.
We caught up with Liyan to hear about her Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…
How long have you been volunteering for the charity?
I’ve been volunteering since November 2023.
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m Liyan, currently volunteering as a data analyst with Fresh Futures. I love working with data, transforming it into meaningful insights that can drive decisions and improve outcomes. It’s been a rewarding experience to contribute my skills to a cause that makes a positive impact.
Tell us about your volunteering role:
My role involves analysing data to inform decisions, which contributes to advancing key projects and improving overall outcomes.
Tell us about a typical day in your role:
A typical day involves collaborating with team members to analyse and present data through detailed graphic reports, focusing on Kirklees and the services Fresh Futures provides. I also analyse social media competitors to help optimize our outreach efforts and track the effectiveness of various initiatives.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures?
I wanted to use my data analysis skills to make a meaningful impact in the community, and Fresh Futures provided the ideal opportunity to do just that.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures?
Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding way to develop your skills while making a real impact. If you’re passionate about creating positive change, Fresh Futures offers a fantastic platform to contribute meaningfully and grow both personally and professionally.
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Liyan, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.
This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Joe who has been helping the charity with content creation and social media management.
We caught up with Joe to hear about his Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…
How long have you been volunteering for the charity?
Around 3 months
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m a writer, editor, and musician. In my spare time, I sing in 2 bands, one of which I’m also in full drag. If you couldn’t tell, I’m horrendously confident.
Tell us about your volunteering role:
I take the content creation and social media management skills I have gained through my career and I use it to help the charity improve their social media engagement and footprint. From creating analytics reports to creating graphics and pictures or video reels.
Tell us about a typical day in your role:
I assess the social media engagement and trends for the charity and try to understand what things are working with their audience and what things aren’t. Sometimes I will create content based around the needs of their upcoming campaigns.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures?
I wanted to gain some experience while also contributing to a good cause.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures?
Do it! It’s for a good cause, it’s good for your CV, what do you have to lose?
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Joe, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
Fresh Futures was delighted to invite companies into our main hub, Brian Jackson House in central Huddersfield, to raise awareness about the charity and to offer a summer networking opportunity to the corporate sector of Kirklees. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of all involved, we achieved this and more.
Kirklees Top 100 Companies Event
Sue Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, encapsulated the spirit of the evening perfectly:
“A big thank you to Fresh Futures for hosting the annual summer networking event for the Kirklees Top 100 Companies. It was fantastic to see so many local organisations come together to connect and build relationships. There was a real buzz around the room, and it certainly felt like a celebration of our local business community, with inspiring speakers, from emerging to longstanding companies, that shared their success stories, topped off with amazing food and drink
The evening was an opportunity to network and find out more about the exciting developments in the commercial sector within Kirklees and Fresh Futures’ employees would like to share their appreciation for all those who delivered motivating and informative speeches on the night. Additionally, Fresh Futures was delighted to welcome representatives from the top 100 companies in Kirklees, alongside SMEs and key stakeholders, including some of our much-valued Patrons.
Katie Shephard, Head of Engagement at Fresh Futures, said:
“It was a pleasure to deliver such an exciting event for the commercial sector of Kirklees. Despite the ongoing economic challenges, the country continues to face, it was fantastic to host an event attended by businesses to better understand their ongoing contributions to the local community. Fresh Futures’ vision is to engage with children, young people and families from Kirklees and this event was our opportunity help celebrate the contribution that the corporate sector makes to our region.”
images from the event
On behalf of all employees at Fresh Futures, thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this event a great success. Fresh Futures look forward to more opportunities to connect and collaborate with our local business community.
Join the Fresh Futures Patron Scheme
Fresh Futures would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join the Fresh Futures Patron Scheme. As a Patron, you will play a vital role in supporting our mission to provide opportunities and support for children, young people and families across Kirklees. Your involvement will help Fresh Futures continue work in education, skills development, and community engagement.
By becoming a Patron, you will receive:
Regular updates on Fresh Futures projects and impact
Invitations to exclusive events and networking opportunities
Recognition on Fresh Futures website, social media and promotional materials
Your support is crucial to our mission of empowering the next generation. Together, we can create a brighter future for our community.
For more information on how to become a Patron and supporting Fresh Futures, please visit Fresh Futures website or contact us directly via [email protected]
Stay tuned for further updates and future events! #FreshFutures
Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.
This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Rosemary Howe who volunteers for the charity as a Community Friend volunteer.
We caught up with Rosemary to hear about her Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…
How long have you been volunteering for the charity?
I started volunteering a month or two before COVID hit, just before the Christmas period. I’d just started visiting my first friend when we had to move over to the telephone. We chatted over the phone through the entire duration of COVID, and then started meeting up again after that. After around 3 years I was matched with my current friend. It must have been over four years since I started now.
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m a people person – I love talking to people. I’ve done a lot of things in my life, like running a small post office for around six years, working in retail, and on a market. When I got married, I inherited 4 stepdaughters – and then had two children of my own! But now I live on my own, so I know how it feels to be alone.
Tell us about your volunteering role:
In my volunteer role as a befriender, it’s important to show an interest. It doesn’t matter what you talk about, I just chatter away. There must be moments where I bore the pants out of my friend. But for him it’s something outside of the usual, its someone coming in with a different mindset.
Tell us about a typical day in your role:
I visit my friend; we sit and chat and sometimes have a cup of tea. I tell him a lot about my life, but he also asks me a lot of questions and asks for my advice. I think he likes to use me as a sounding board when he’s unsure about things.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures?
The reason I wanted to start volunteering is because I know what it’s like to be alone. I was looking after my husband for 8 years, but during that time, there were moments where I felt isolated, as he spent a lot of time sleeping and watching the TV. I felt like I had lost him long before he had died, which made me feel very much like I had been on my own for a long time. When I moved, I knew I had to make an effort to go out and meet people. As I’m still fairly mobile and have my car I’m able to volunteer and help others, so I will go on doing this as long as I can.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures?
To become a befriender, I think you’ve got to be patient and appreciate that the person you are visiting might feel frustrated to be in that situation. They will probably be very pleased to see you, but at the same time they might be feeling like things in their life were not meant to be that way. But if you succeed in brightening their day, it’s really worthwhile.
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Rosemary, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.
This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Annalise who volunteers for the charity as a volunteer friend and peer group volunteer.
We caught up with Annalise to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…
How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have been volunteering at Fresh Futures for 6 months and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
Tell us a bit about yourself: I hold a Level 3 BTEC in Art and Design and have a strong passion for both art and gaming. In my free time, I love immersing myself in creative projects and exploring new games.
Tell us about your volunteering role: As a volunteer friend and peer group volunteer at Fresh Futures, I help organise events and activities for the organisation. My primary focus is on making individuals aged 18-28 feel less lonely and providing them with a safe and welcoming space.
Tell us about a typical day in your role: A typical day of volunteering for me involves engaging with members of the Elevate group through activities such as board games, crafts, and event organisation. These interactions not only provide a fun and supportive environment for the participants but also bring a sense of fulfilment to everyone involved.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? I was inspired to volunteer with Fresh Futures because I loved the idea of helping others and elevating their mood. The opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life was a driving force for me.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? To anyone considering volunteering with Fresh Futures, I would say absolutely do it. You will find it a fulfilling experience that helps you grow both personally and professionally. Another bonus is that everyone at Fresh Futures, whether volunteers or staff, are friendly and welcoming individuals.
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Annalise, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
The youth unemployment rate has increased, and young people experience many barriers when looking for a job. From their work with young adults, Fresh Futures have learnt low confidence and self-esteem, social anxiety, emotional issues and mental health challenges prevent young people from accessing work.
Fresh Futures have developed their innovative Employability Programme to help young people get employment ready and equip them with the skills, experience and understanding to feel confident applying for jobs.
Over the course of one week, the Programme will empower young people to build their skill set and feel confident about searching for job opportunities.
The mornings will focus on building core employability skills, e.g., CV writing, interview techniques and how to research for jobs. Fresh Futures will also provide a free lunch to each young adult attending the Programme.
In the afternoons, the focus will shift towards working with the young people to provide useful experiences to overcome the barriers they face on their journey into employment. This might include trips out, visiting guest speakers or learning new, creative skills such as photography or video editing.
After completing the Programme, the young people will be given the opportunity to undertake 10 hours of voluntary work within an employer from across Kirklees to help build their experience and bolster their CV. Placements will be tailored to young adults’ personal career goals for the future.
Christine Rhodes, Community Connections Services Manager, says: “This new programme is an exciting opportunity for young people to gain valuable knowledge about how to access employment as well as gaining experience of the workplace. We’re keen to offer placements for young people in a variety of different industries across Kirklees and if this is something your business could accommodate, we’d urge you to get in touch today to find out more.”
Fresh Futures have a wealth of experience working with different organisations across the region to support young people through a range of projects. Over the last four months, they have been working with Youth Social to produce a podcast series promoting the benefits of youth volunteering. You can listen to Omar, the Sustainability Volunteer and Freya, a Young Adult Volunteer at Fresh Futures on Episode 5, Part 2. Daisy Whitby, the Volunteer Support Officer at Fresh Futures, also features on Episode 6, where she shares her insights on the volunteering opportunities Fresh Futures offers young adults.
These podcasts are now available on all the main podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts – Search ‘Youth Social Podcast’, click the following links:
Volunteer of the month is when we get to shout about our amazing volunteers and the, quite literally, life changing work they do to help Fresh Futures run smoothly and effectively.
This month we would like to say a big THANK YOU to Annette who volunteers for the charity as a Community Friend.
We caught up with Annette to hear about her Fresh Futures Volunteering journey so far…
How long have you been volunteering for the charity? 15 months.
Tell us a bit about yourself: I have been married to John for 45 years and we have 5 daughters and 15 grandchildren, I have lived in the Holme Valley since I was 12 and I walk 6k every day. I also love reading and baking
Tell us about your volunteering role: I visit Ken every week, for a chat, shopping, eating or a drive in the country.
Tell us about a typical day in your role: If Ken is feeling ok we will go shopping, go to a garden centre, or just go for a drive to enjoy the countryside, once a month I take him to the barbers and if he has a doctors appointment I take him to that. If he’s having a bad day we just stay in a chat until we have put the world to rights.
What made you want to start volunteering with Fresh Futures? My daughter volunteers, and until she did I have never heard of such a thing, so I wanted to help someone who might be experiencing loneliness as I can’t imagine how terrible it would be not to talk to anyone for days at a time.
And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with Fresh Futures? Just give it a go it will enrich your life and the person to whom you visit.
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Annette, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
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