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Author: Samantha Latchayya

Fresh Futures Announces 3-Year Strategy & Launches Brand-New Website.

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

Regional charity Yorkshire Children’s Centre (YCC) hosted a special event at their site at Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield on 15th March to launch their new three-year strategy and brand-new website for the charity. The event saw 50 people from across the Fresh Futures team, external partners and supporters come together to celebrate the exciting plans.

The event had a great turnout, including two students from YCC’s alternative provision college, who presented Proactive Code with a thank you gift.

Established in 1974, and looking towards their 50th Anniversary, this is an exciting stage in Fresh Futures history, that will bring focus to the services they deliver to improve lives and inspire change in vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, and their families across Kirklees and the surrounding areas.

Mark Farmer CEO said “It was great to get together to share plans that will shape the future of the charity over the next three years. It was also the launch of our brand-new website, and thanks must go to Martin Port (BigChange) and Dan Todd (Proactive Code) who have enabled us to complete this project.”

Fresh Futures is a regional charity that works with vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people, and their families within Kirklees and surrounding areas. We are thought leaders and, together with partners, our mission is to deliver the best possible outcomes through four interwoven strands of activity – providing education services and facilities, building healthy relationships, promoting health and wellbeing, and improving employability skills.

YCC’s partners and stakeholders were invited to the event to meet with Fresh Futures departments and learn about their services

For more information about how you can support Fresh Futures please contact Sara Eltman [email protected]

YCC’s Young Onset Dementia Support Group Get Gardening!

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya
The kind and enthusiastic team set to work on the garden space at Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield

Spring is officially here! And what better way to enjoy the weather and work on some mindfulness, than with a little gardening under a blue sky.

At the end of March, YCC’s young onset dementia support group did just that!

YCC’s Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield has recently restored a large garden area located at the front of the building, nestled in a quiet nook between the charity’s main entrance and the trainlines. The space has long been an overgrown storage area, but thanks to a lot of hard work from some volunteers at Forbes Solicitors, the space was transformed back in October 21 and is now a clear, open space that can be used by staff and service users alike.

Fresh Futures are still working on the space, to make it as beautiful and welcoming as possible – and are dependent on the support from local communities to do so. Over the past few months, garden furniture has been installed and the area maintained by more enthusiastic volunteers.

Fresh Futures welcomed the young onset dementia group to the garden, who did some amazing work with the new planters. The group helped to fill the planters with soil, in preparation for them being used for growing fruit and vegetables.

YCC’s Young Onset Dementia Group kindly volunteered their time to help transform the garden space at Brian Jackson House

Since October, the space has really become something special. Take a look at these before and after shots to see just how much hard work has gone into making the space accessible. It’s still a work in progress, but you can really see the potential the space has to offer.

Before (October 21)
Currently (March 22)

Fresh Futures are still looking for more keen volunteers to support the maintenance and/or development of the newly refurbished outdoor space at Brian Jackson House. Members of the public are welcome to volunteer their time on a one-off basis, or may also like to form a gardeners’ group that look after the space on a regular basis.

Fresh Futures are also looking to collect donations of gardening tools in good condition, that can be used within the space.

If you would like to learn more about the garden space at Brian Jackson House, please contact [email protected]

Meet the Team: Rebecca Whitehead

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

It’s #MeetTheTeam time.

Name: Rebecca Whitehead

Job Title: Financial Education Teacher

Time in the role: 2 years.

What’s something people don’t know about you? I used to be a tv/film extra!

Your role in a nutshell: I teach financial education to years 10 and 11 at BJC in Heckmondwike- this course gives them education on financial matters and how to be a successful adult once they leave school which includes politics, paying bills etc, I also teach finance, life skills and employability to year 9.

Why do you like working for YCC? I came to work at BJC for 3 months on supply and was lucky enough to never leave after gaining the permanent role in September 2020. It’s an amazing place to work, the college is like a family and every day is different, there’s always something going on to make you smile.

What’s one of your favourite work memories? When I returned in Sept 2020 after being on furlough since March 2020 (through supply agency) and I got a round of applause and a cheer from the students that I was back. It was wonderful.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering working at YCC? You have to be prepared to go above and beyond every day, it’s never easy but it’s always different. I love teaching anyway but it’s so rewarding to teach at the college as the students need us and what we offer, so much more than in mainstream.

Contact details: [email protected]

#WeAreYCC

Fresh Futures Stands with Ukraine

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

During this difficult time, Fresh Futures stands with Ukraine.

Many of you have been asking about Fresh Futures stance on the events surrounding the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, so we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you our position.

Even as a children and family centred charity, it is difficult to comprehend the full extent of the devastation currently ongoing in Ukraine, and we extend our greatest sympathy to everyone affected by the crisis.

To keep you informed, Fresh Futures have been in touch with the Huddersfield Ukrainian Group, who have advised us that donations of items are not required by them at this time. They have requested that should anyone wish to make a donation, that they do so via this link.

As a charity, we will be committed to supporting as many Ukrainian children and families in our communities as we can. This will only be possible once refugees start to arrive in our local areas and subject to them qualifying for the services we are accredited to offer. However, it is important to note that as we are not a refugee charity (and therefore do not specialise in the support that some other charities will be offering at this time) it would not be correct for us to try and ‘step in’.

Although our services do not respond to any of the current urgent needs communicated from Ukraine at this time, we are keeping a close eye on ways that we can support Ukrainian refugees through our Children and Family services, and through government incentives.

We are aware that there may shortly be the possibility for us to offer employment to refugees arriving from Ukraine, with a special 3-year work visa being granted to all Ukrainian refugees. Should this be the case, Fresh Futures will actively seek to employ Ukrainians to help them build skills and support their families, where possible. Fresh Futures will also reconsider running a collection of items, should this need arise. And of course, our doors will always be open to our new Ukrainian community friends when they arrive, should they need to access any of our services.

If you would like to get in touch with Fresh Futures about this matter, please email [email protected] or call 01484 51 99 88.

#WeAreFresh Futures #WeStandWithUkraine

Volunteer of the Month: April

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

Laura is a truly special volunteer and very worthy of April’s Volunteer of the Month award, since she not only befriends one person, but several! In this month’s post, Laura tells us how volunteering benefits in different ways…

  1. Name: Laura Cumiskey 
  2. Tell us a little about yourself: I am a stay home mum (two children aged 8 & 4). I seem to be the one person friends and family come to for advice and help. 
  3. How long have you been volunteering for the charity? I have been volunteering for roughly 18 months or so for the befriending service. 
  4. Explain your volunteering role: My role includes phoning old and vulnerable residents for Fresh Futures. I have certainly made some good friendships while doing this role. 
  5. What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I started volunteering after I broke up with my daughter’s dad. I was in a bad place and lost myself as a person. I wanted to turn my negative perspective into a positive one. And as much as it helped me, I also knew I was helping someone else at the same time.
  6. Sum up a typical day of volunteering for you? I usually do my phone calls in a morning after I have dropped my children off at school. I sit down with a cup of tea and usually make my first call around 10am (or whatever time suits me best). 
  7. And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? The advice I would give to someone thinking about volunteering is, “DO IT!!!”. It benefits in more ways than one!

If you would like to become a telephone or face-to-face befriender, or volunteer your time in any other way for our charity, please feel free to check out our available volunteer positions on our website, or contact our Volunteer Development Officer, Lucy Martin, directly on 07849 398829/01484 415465

Please vote Fresh Futures as Covid Hero

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

We are delighted to have been nominated for this award that shines a light on organisations that have continued to go above and beyond to help people in their communities during the pandemic.

We would like to thank all of the amazing Fresh Futures team of staff and volunteers whose dedication and hard work ensures that we are always here for the children, young people and families that need us.

We’d appreciate your vote – it only takes a few clicks & every vote really does count

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Meet The Team: Tony Kirton

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

It’s #MeetTheTeam time.

Full Name: Tony Kirton

Job Title: Maintenance Coordinator

Time in the role: 5 Months

What’s something people don’t know about you? Home is like a farm with all the dogs and cats!

Your role in a nutshell: Fix things (or ask other people to!)

Why do you like working for YCC? I’ve always enjoyed having a go at various projects at home – building, plumbing, etc. so it’s like a bigger house here with more varied (and stranger sometimes!) requests!

What’s one of your favourite work memories? Finally navigating the buildings and not getting lost!

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering working at YCC? Make sure you wear a Fitbit (alternative makes are available!) so you don’t waste walking up and down the stairs!

Contact Details: [email protected]

#WeAreYCC

YCC’s NEW Website

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

On 15th March, Fresh Futures launched their new, modern website: www.freshfutures.org.uk

The website was a much needed modernisation to the old site, and allows Fresh Futures to not only reach out to supporters and volunteers, but also to act as a platform for potential service users to access important information that can really make a difference!

Our top 3 favourite things about the website are:

  1. The Our People page – where you can get to know our Trustees, Leadership Team and Managers, viewing their hobbies, and – the best bit… their old baby pictures

2. Our Superhero images – that show children as we see them… SUPER!

3. Our Volunteer With Us page, where you can find out about the MANY MANY ways that you can get involved with Fresh Futures and support a GREAT cause!

Fresh Futures would like to take this opportunity to thank supporters Martin Port, from Big Change, and Daniel Todd from Proactive Code, whose kindness and generosity has enabled the charity to create the new site.

We would like to send an extended thank you to Mark Crow and the rest of the team at Proactive Code, who worked with us almost every day over the last four months, to get the website completed over a short period of time and to an excellent standard.

Martin Port, from Big Change, left this message for the Fresh Futures team.

YCC’s Strategy Launch

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

Over the past 6 months, Fresh Futures has been working with employees, volunteers and Trustees to agree the upcoming 3-year strategy that will cover the charity’s 50th year anniversary. This includes work on the charity’s mission, vision and core values.

The charity was established in 1974 by Brian Jackson, and since then has grown from strength to strength, broadening its reach to children and families across South and West Yorkshire year upon year, continuing the legacy that Brian created, to Improve Lives and Inspire Change.

Over the last few years, and certainly since the start of the pandemic, the required scope of services and levels of people in need of support have increased significantly.

Whilst children and young people will forever be at the heart of everything that the charity does, we also recognise the importance of supporting families, to in turn give better support to the children. The need to provide more care for the mental health and wellbeing of children and parents has been highlighted, as has the need to provide opportunities for parents to enhance their employability skills.

Furthermore, the need to build stronger family relationships and support new family dynamics has remained critical over the last few years. Finally, our experience working with students in our alternative provision colleges has only further emphasised the huge positive impact that this has on young adults. We are therefore keen to continue expanding our college provisions, to support students into adulthood, providing them with key skills, qualifications, confidence and a greater opportunity to succeed in life.

The upcoming 3-year strategy takes all of these factors into consideration, whilst also introducing some exiting logistical plans.

At the core of the strategy, sits the child. Children and Young People are at the heart of everything that Fresh Futures does, and every service that Fresh Futures offers will link back to the child.

The four CORE STRANDS of the charity’s strategy, cover the following themes:

  • Education
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Employment & Skills
  • Relationships

All of YCC’s services will seek to encompass these themes.

We look forward to working further on our strategy, and will communicate our final strategy and plans to all of our stakeholders, in the near future.

#WeAreYCC

Volunteer of the Month: March

Posted on by Samantha Latchayya

We love recognising our volunteers! This month, our volunteer of the month was nominated by YCC’s Thriving Kirklees team. Gareth started volunteering for the team when he heard they needed a helping hand with their admin. Gareth jumped to the rescue and donated dozens of hours to facilitate the delivery of Safety Rangers! THANK YOU GARETH!!

See what Gareth had to say when we interviewed him, below:

Name: Gareth Morris

Tell us a little about yourself? I found out about volunteering whilst on the Hopeful Families service and put myself forward as a volunteer, to feel useful.

How long have you been volunteering for the charity? Around 6 months.

Explain your volunteering role: When the TK team do their Safety Rangers event, they have around 300 gift bags to hand to the children that attend. I organised each and every gift bag to make sure every single child would receive one during the event.

What made you want to start volunteering with YCC? I wanted to build my confidence with others, feel useful and have something positive to do.

And finally, what advice would you give to people considering volunteering with YCC? If you’re looking for something do then why not volunteer? I was very happy after volunteering because it was really appreciated and made a big difference whilst saving a few hours out of the day for the staff members so they could do everything else they have to do.

If you would like to volunteer in our Charity Shop, or dedicate your time to another of our services, please contact Lucy, YCC’s Volunteering Development Officer, on 07849 398829 or email [email protected].