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Tag: #FreshFutures

Celebrating 50 Years Of Fresh Futures

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Fresh Futures, previously Yorkshire Children’s Centre, is a regional charity supporting disadvantaged children, young people and their families in our community. The charity was first set up by Brian Jackson, who was passionate about improving the quality of childcare in the Kirklees area, resulting in the creation of the National Children’s Centre, the charity’s name when it was launched. Since then, it’s services have expanded and diversified to support more groups in the community through four strands of work; education; health & wellbeing; employability & skills and relationships.

A lively outdoor community event on a grassy field, with families and children enjoying activities. A colourful double-decker bus, a white camper van, and a green tent with bunting are visible, along with people sitting on blankets and strolling around. Traditional stone houses surround the scene
A black-and-white photograph of smiling children running towards the camera in front of a decorated double-decker bus with playful illustrations. More children are visible in the background near the bus, which appears to be part of a community event
Photos from Fresh Futures over the years
A colourful and engaging early learning classroom with children playing on the floor with toy trains and blocks. Two adults are working on a craft project at a table. The room is decorated with educational posters, learning materials, and playful decorations

In 2024, Fresh Futures celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking the occasion in various ways, including Brian Jackson House playing host to the Kirklees Top 100 companies event held in June, the launch of a Patron scheme to enable corporates to pledge their support and a World Record attempt – to have the largest collection of erasers!

A group of smartly dressed people, posing and smiling at the camera, in front of a silver and black balloon arch.
Kirklees Top 100 Event hosted by Fresh Futures

Fresh Futures also celebrated many of those involved with the charity, through their 50 faces of Fresh Futures campaign, interviewing those who work for, volunteer for or support the charity throughout Kirklees.

In 2025, we continue to be keen to hear stories from anyone who may have worked for the charity or used any of the services over the last 50 years. Please email [email protected] if you’d like to share your story.

Lucy Jackson, daughter of Brian Jackson, is now a trustee of the charity and shared some memories the family have of her father and the charity. She said: “About 2 or 3 years ago I noticed on social media that there was a sponsored walk from my dad’s charity. Over the years since his death in 1983 I had attended irregular events of the charity, but this felt like an opportunity to chat with some of the staff. I went on the walk with two of my adult children, really enjoyed chatting to everyone about where the charity now was. Since then I’ve been delighted to join the board of Trustees and it’s wonderful to see first how my father’s legacy continues to thrive.”

Other members of the family shared how “it was wonderful to visit recently and see children and parents playing happily together at Brian Jackson House” Fresh Futures don’t boast about what they do – but it’s noticed when parents need their help.”

Brian Jackson’s youngest son, Seth who works for Strange Thoughts, a Patron of the charity. Believes, “It’s lasted, it’s evolved and it’s still making a difference!”.

A word cloud including the words inclusive, unique, heard, remarkable, crucial, families, adventurous, seen, warmth and perseverance.
A word cloud to show how people describe Fresh Futures

With many exciting fundraising activities planned for 2025, Fresh Futures will continue to support children and families in the Kirklees area most in need.

Fundraising can take many forms, visit our Fundraising page HERE for some inspiration. If you would be interested in fundraising for Fresh Futures, please contact the team to find out their plans or suggest your own at [email protected]

Fresh Futures Nominated for Charitable Excellence Award at Yorkshire Choice Awards 2025!

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

We are excited to announce that Fresh Futures has been nominated for the Charitable Excellence Award at the Yorkshire Choice Awards 2025! This incredible recognition is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of the Fresh Futures team over the past year.

Founded by Joanne Maltby and Melanie Malcolm, the Yorkshire Choice Awards celebrate the achievements of inspiring local people and businesses in Yorkshire, recognising their efforts to make a positive impact in their communities. Through adversity and courage, these awards shine a spotlight on individuals and organisations whose efforts truly deserve recognition.

In 2022, Fresh Futures was honoured to be the runner-up in the COVID Heroes Award, highlighting the collective efforts of our team during a challenging time. This year, we’re back in the spotlight, nominated for the Charitable Excellence Award, which was introduced in 2024 to recognise organisations excelling in charity work. The award celebrates not just charitable acts but also innovation, commitment, and the difference made in local communities.

For Fresh Futures, winning the award in 2025 would be a monumental achievement. It would celebrate over 50 years of charitable service and the tremendous impact we’ve had on children, young people, and families in Kirklees.

Katie Shephard, Head of Income and Engagement, shared: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been nominated for such a prestigious award. The team works incredibly hard throughout the year, and we’re grateful to have our work recognised. We’re all excited for the ceremony and appreciate the support from everyone who believes in the work we do!”

How You Can Help: We need your vote to help us win! It only takes a few seconds, and your vote could make all the difference. Here’s how you can vote for Fresh Futures:

  1. CLICK HERE or visit Yorkshire Choice Awards Voting Page.
  2. Scroll down and click ‘CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE’.
  3. In the ‘CHARITABLE EXCELLENCE AWARD’ category, select Fresh Futures from the drop-down box.
  4. Scroll to the bottom, enter your email address, and click ‘SUBMIT’.

The public vote is crucial, so please share this link with your friends and family to help us secure as many votes as possible. Your support could help us shine a light on the heart and spirit of Fresh Futures!

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we’re making a difference!

#YCA2025

Fresh Futures Open the Doors of the Brian Jackson College Post-16 Provision

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

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. 

Entrance to the Vocational Hub at Brian Jackson College, featuring a red sign on a stone wall and green-framed glass doors with security notices.
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 
A recreational room featuring a blue Donnay table tennis setup in the foreground, a small pool table in the background, and a seating area with red chairs and a table against a white wall with colorful bulletin boards.
the student break room at the post 16 centre
Two individuals engaged in a discussion at a round table in a communal space, with a laptop open between them. The room features bright orange chairs, a water dispenser, and a simple, modern design with white walls and a grey carpet.

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.”

A spacious and well-lit automotive workshop with various tools and equipment, including a tire changer and engine stand. The area features high ceilings, an upper storage level, and an open garage entrance where workers are seen outside near a van and machinery.
the mechanics workshop at the post-16 centre
An automotive workshop with a clean, spacious floor, featuring various red and blue workstations, tools, and equipment. A bicycle is parked near a workbench, and multiple car jacks and engine stands are neatly arranged along the walls.

Volunteer Of The Month – September 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

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.

the image shows a poster that shows a woman, smiling posing for the camera, she has dark long hair. Around the image it says Liyan Shaikh along with an image of different coloured hands up in the air and the words ' volunteer of the month'. There is a red border around the whole poster.

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: August 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

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?

the image shows a poster celebrating the volunteer of the month. There is an image of a man posing for a selfie, he has brown short hair and wears a black and white stripy top. The name 'Joe Hallas' is above the image as well as 4 different coloured hands reaching upwards.

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 hosts 100 Top Kirklees Companies Event

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Fresh Futures are thrilled to update you about the 100 Top Kirklees Companies event that took place at Brian Jackson House last month. This event, hosted by Fresh Futures and coordinated by a partnership including 3M, Huddersfield University, Huddersfield Examiner, and Huddersfield Hub, was a resounding success.

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.

the image shows 5 infdividuals stood posing for a photo at a formal event. They are all dressed in suits and dresses. From left to right, there is a woman with glasses and grey hair, to the right of her is a young man with brown hair and beard smiling, to the right of him is a woman in a green dress with blonde hair who is holding an orange document that reads Kirklees top 100 event with the man to the right of her. On the end of the right is another man who wears a suit and glasses. There is a silver and black balloon arch behind all the people.
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.”

this image shows a group of people engaged in a speech, there is around a dozen people, and two tables with black table cloths on. They are all engaged on what is going on in front of them, which we cannot see. There are black curtains behind the people and there is a silver mirror ball in the top right corner of the image.
the image shows a gathering of people, there are a few groups of people engaging in chats amongst themselves. The picture is taken from an aerial view of the room. There are back tables dotted around and a stage to the top of the image, on the stage there is a silver and black balloon arch, as well as blue fairy lights on the back wall.
images from the event
the image shows two women, one has blonde hair, a fringe, glasses and a black cardigan on, she is smiling. The other woman is to the right of her and we can see the left side of her body, she has short dark hair, wears a blue lanyard and is wearing a khaki green top. There are three glasses of fizz in front of them on a table.

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: July 2024

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

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]