Our elevate programme is designed for 18–26-year-olds in Kirklees who want to feel more connected, build self-esteem, and shape a positive future. We’re here to help, with friendly sessions, real-world skills, and a space where you’ll feel heard, valued, and empowered to grow.
When: Every Wednesday 13.00 – 15:30
Where: Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01484 415 465
Text: 07849 398761
Within Fresh Futures, we operate three alternative education provision colleges for students who do not thrive in mainstream education.
The colleges are in Huddersfield and Heckmondwike, with the Heckmondwike provision housing the first post-16 centre that was opened in October 2024.
Our post-16 provision is designed to provide a bespoke educational experience that aligns with each student’s unique interests, needs and aspirations for the future.
Highly knowledgeable staff, alongside offering on-site counselling and career advice, aid in ensuring students are ready for work by the end of their time with us.
Sam, the Construction Teacher at the post-16 provision, said “I am passionate about ensuring young people are knowledgeable and prepared to work in the industry”.
The curriculum is designed to equip students with practical skills across different fields while ensuring they have a solid foundation in essential academic subjects like Maths and English.
By offering vocational courses such as hairdressing, construction, and food technology, we cover a variety of interests, giving students the flexibility to focus on their strengths and career aspirations.
To enrich the students learning further, we are keen to provide work placement opportunities for the students.
Work placements can really help bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students the chance to develop hands-on skills in a professional environment.
We are currently looking for work placements in the following settings:
Students interested in motor vehicle maintenance can get hands-on experience with vehicle repairs and customer service.
Those pursuing construction skills could gain insight into materials, logistics, and supply chain management in the building industry.
Students interested in healthcare or care work would get exposure to patient care, hygiene practices, and the day-to-day operations in a care setting.
These placements could teach students about customer service, stock management, and community support roles.
Ideal for those studying food technology so they can learn about food preparation, safety standards, and the service industry.
Perfect for students interested in education, childcare, and social care, helping them gain experience working with children and learning support.
Students interested in infrastructure or construction can work on large-scale projects related to roads and transport.
Students pursuing healthcare or medicine could get valuable experience in patient interaction, administration, and basic medical practices.
Throughout the placement we will ensure that students are supported while also gaining invaluable experience in a real-world setting. Having regular contact from a staff member is key to addressing any questions or concerns you or the student might have, making the experience more enriching.
You would not be required to pay the students as you’re helping prioritise learning and development.
This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses and organisations to get involved in supporting the community and helping young people build their careers.
If you can support our post-16 students or you have you a new placement opportunity please do get in touch with Lauren Barber-Harrison on [email protected] or call 01924 408 306.
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.
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!
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!”.
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]
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:
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 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!”
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.
Here’s a glimpse at the courses available at our post-16 vocational hub:
By the end of their time at Brian Jackson College, students will:
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.”
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…
I’ve been volunteering since November 2023.
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.
My role involves analysing data to inform decisions, which contributes to advancing key projects and improving overall outcomes.
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.
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.
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…
Around 3 months
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.
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.
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.
I wanted to gain some experience while also contributing to a good cause.
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 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.
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.”
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
I have been volunteering at Fresh Futures for 6 months and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]