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Fresh Futures Launches Summer Holiday Provision in Huddersfield

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Fresh Futures is thrilled to announce that we’ve secured funding to run holiday provision, supporting local families and young people during the summer break.

The programme will take place throughout August at Brian Jackson House, in the centre of Huddersfield, and will run Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 2pm. Aimed at 11 to 13-year olds, the sessions are completely free for children who receive free school meals.

Each day, young people will be offered a healthy, nutritious meal, with all dietary requirements catered for, ensuring everyone can enjoy lunch together in a relaxed and inclusive setting.

What is on offer?

Our holiday provision is designed to be fun, engaging and supportive, with a wide range of activities planned to keep young people active, creative and connected. These include:

  • Sports and physical activities to get moving and build teamwork
  • Cooking classes and baking competitions to spark culinary creativity
  • Arts and crafts sessions to encourage self-expression
  • Chill Zone – Board games and time for socialising and relaxation
  • Weekly access to our onsite cinema installation – a unique way to end the week in style

This new initiative marks an exciting step forward for Fresh Futures as we continue our mission to support children, young people and their families from across Kirklees. We’re passionate about creating opportunities that inspire confidence, promote wellbeing, and help every child thrive.

“We’re incredibly proud to be launching our holiday provision at Fresh Futures,” said Mark Farmer, Chief Executive. “This project represents a step forward in how we support local children, young people and their families, particularly during the long summer break when access to activities and meals can be a challenge. Every young person will receive a healthy meal each day, with dietary needs fully catered for. We’re excited to launch this new project to increase the support we provide for families from across the region.”

Sessions will run Monday to Thursday between 10am and 2pm during weeks commencing 4th, 11th and 18th August. Due to the bank holiday on 25th August, sessions that week will run Tuesday to Friday.

Places are limited to 15 young people and are expected to book very quickly so parents and carers are encouraged to reserve their place for free as soon as possible. To book a place for a young person, please click HERE.

What can you expect each day?

DayMain Activity FocusAdditional Notes
Monday🎯 Sports Tournaments (indoor: Pool, Darts, Dodgeball, Table Tennis – Outdoor: Football, Cricket, Rounders)Arts & Crafts and Chill Zone open in afternoon 
Tuesday🍳 Intro to Cooking (Buy, simple meal prep & eat)Group cooking
Wednesday🏏 Sports Tournaments (indoor: Pool, Darts, Dodgeball, Tennis – Outdoor: Football, Cricket, Rounders)Arts & Crafts and Chill Zone open in afternoon 
Thursday🧁 Bake off day (Cupcakes, Cookies, Biscuits)Bake + decorate + take home or eat at lunch

🖌️plus access additional activities throughout the sessions including…….

🗣️ Hangout Area:

music, reading, relaxed social vibe

🎨 Creative Corner:

colouring, painting, pottery painting

🎥 Chill Zone:

films, board games, card games, internet access

Poster for Fresh Futures’ “Schools Out Summer Club” in August at Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield, for 11–13-year-olds on free school dinners. Runs Monday–Thursday, 10am–2pm. Activities include sports, cooking, arts & crafts, chill zone, and cinema. Limited places available. QR code for registration shown. Bright, playful design with illustrations of children.
Fresh Futures Schools Out Summer Club Poster

Spotlight On Family Time

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Fresh Futures Family Time service is a child contact centre which provides multiple levels of support to children and families. The service offers a safe and child friendly space for children to have contact with their relatives. Please see the website for further detail for the levels of support offered: https://freshfutures.org.uk/family-time/

Family Time service works closely with Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), alongside the Family court arena and accepts private referrals.

The aim of the service is to support children re/establish relationships with a relative where their contact has broken.

Family Time staff pride themselves on listening to the voice of the child and emphasise it, while supporting children and families agree future arrangements. In addition, Family Time supports parents establish and maintain communication in a child focused manner.

Family Time focus on neurodiversity and have recently implemented sensory spaces to better support children. The team have developed their knowledge on ways of working with children and families with neurodiverse needs, focusing on communication, specifically when children are non-verbal.

A high percentage of children who attend Family Time have been exposed to lengthy court proceedings. In 2025, Family Time staff plan to promote the service to external services who work with families, with an emphasis on Family Time being use as early intervention, to hopefully prevent families from applying to the Family Courts.

The Family Time Team includes one service manager and three child contact officers who play crucial roles in facilitating contact between children and their relatives. Additionally, Family Time often have support from students and volunteers.

The team’s primary role is prioritising the child’s physical and emotional wellbeing, supervising contact sessions and providing detailed reports from their observation of Family Time.

Additionally, they tailor unique plans to best support the children and relatives in areas such as conflict management, communication, relationship building and ways to overcome barriers which may be preventing the child’s contact progressing positively with their relative. Family Time reports are confidential documents which make recommendations for future plans for the child/ren which can support judiciary decision making during family court proceedings when developing a child arrangement order.

Back in the Ring: A Comeback Fuelled by Purpose

Posted on by Aimee Webb

On the 12th of April, Holly stepped into the boxing ring to raise funds and awareness for Fresh Futures as part of an Ultra White Collar Boxing Event in Huddersfield.

Holly managed to raise an amazing £1,218.75 and we are very grateful for her support towards the work we do at the charity!

Holly (in the red) during her boxing match

After seven years out of the ring, Holly made her return – not for titles or trophies, but to stand behind a cause she truly believes in. In the lead-up to the event, she dedicated herself to eight intense weeks of training to make sure she was ready when fight day came.

On the day of the event, Holly was nervous but felt ready, all thanks to the training and support of those around her. Holly didn’t win her fight, but for her, it was never about the victory—it was about proving something to herself, and she did exactly that.

the picture shows a boxing ring, next to the near ring side are the two fighters, two women, one of them wears blue gear and is leaning to the right to avoid a punch, the other woman in red is throwing a punch to her head. There is a man who is the referee looks on from the left of the fighters. There is a white banner that reads UWCB.
Holly (in the red) during her boxing match

Holly says: “We raised money. We raised awareness. And we reminded people that every effort, even after setbacks, can still create impact. I didn’t get the win on the scorecards, but I gained something much more valuable — a sense of what I’m capable of, and a reminder of the community that stood behind me.”

Well done Holly!

If you would be interested in supporting Fresh Futures in ANY way, please contact us at [email protected], we would love to hear from you!

Celebrating 50 Years of Impact: Fresh Futures & Leach

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

As we mark an incredible 50 years of Fresh Futures, we’ve had the pleasure of celebrating this milestone in a truly special way – through a powerful collaboration with local creative leaders, Leach, who helped bring our story to life.

Thanks to their generosity and expertise, a stunning visual timeline now proudly showcases our journey and the positive impact we’ve made across Kirklees and beyond since our founding in 1974. This beautifully designed piece now sits along the ground floor of Brian Jackson House, offering visitors and staff a vivid reminder of the progress and partnerships that have shaped us.

a group of people pose for a picture, in front of a wall decorated with colourful birds and trees. The people all wear orange and yellow hi-vis jackets.
the picture shows a big printing machine, the artwork coming out of the printer is red, but it is not visible what is on the artwork.
Staff and Students from Fresh Futures watching the printing at Leach
the picture shows a woman holding something next to a piece of machinery. There is a man on the left explaining to the woman what to do. In the background, there are a few more people wearing hi-vis jackets and watching the woman.

But this wasn’t just about design and print, it was also a hands-on, inspiring experience for students at Brian Jackson College, who had the chance to visit Leach HQ in Bradley to see the printing process up close. Watching our story literally unfold before their eyes was a moment of real inspiration and curiosity for our young learners.

“Having this timeline displayed at Brian Jackson House is more than just a celebration of our past—it’s a reminder of the values and vision that drive us every day,” said Katie Shephard, Head of Engagement at Fresh Futures. “Our students loved visiting Leach and seeing how design and technology come together. It sparked so many conversations about creativity, careers, and confidence – it was a fantastic experience for them.”

Leach, who kindly donated the design and print work, expressed their pride in being part of this meaningful project.

the picture shows a long hallway, with a window at one end and double doors at the other. It shows the wall which has a red artwork showing different time points like a timeline, with writing and pictures. There is a white radiator in the middle of the wall, the carpet is grey.

“It was an honour to collaborate with Fresh Futures and to help commemorate such an incredible legacy,” said a representative from Leach. “Welcoming the students to our HQ was a highlight – they were curious, engaged, and asked brilliant questions. It reminded us how powerful creativity can be in inspiring the next generation. Supporting this project was our pleasure.”

As we look to the future, this timeline serves not only as a celebration of what we’ve achieved – but as a symbol of the partnerships and passion that will carry us forward.

Here’s to 50 years of Fresh Futures, and the many more to come.

Exciting Spring Events for Families Hosted by Fresh Futures!

Posted on by Aimee Webb

Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a fantastic line up of fun and educational events for families? Fresh Futures, a charity dedicated to supporting children, young people and their families, is hosting an array of exciting activities throughout Spring. From creative play sessions to a special Baby Boutique sale, there’s something for everyone!

A Spring Full of Fun and Learning

Fresh Futures has carefully designed these events to engage young children, encourage creativity, and provide valuable experiences for families at an accessible cost. Whether you’re looking for a hands-on sensory play session, a heartwarming storytelling event, or even a chance to capture precious family moments, there’s an event for you.

Two young children, a boy and a girl, are sitting on lush green grass during an Easter egg hunt. The boy, wearing a plaid shirt and brown pants, is reaching into a white woven basket while the girl, dressed in a pink shirt and patterned leggings, is holding a blue basket. Colorful plastic eggs, some open and some closed, are scattered around them. Another empty basket and a small hand are visible in the background, indicating more participants in the activity.
Easter fun

Here’s what’s coming up:

Thursday 17th April, 10:00-12:00,

Under 5s Easter Party

Come along to our EGGstra special Easter party, a multi-activity event including games, egg decorating, music, and much more! Perfect for celebrating Easter with your little one.

Price: £5 per child with one accompanying adult. £2 per additional accompanying adult

Wednesday 23rd April, 30-minute slots available from 08:00-17:00,

Me & My Family Mini-Photoshoot

A professional photoshoot session, including digital prints that will be delivered in plenty of time for them to be developed into the perfect Father’s Day gifts!

Professional 30-minute, private photoshoot with Fly On The Wall Photographer. Limited slots available.

Price: £35 per session – includes digital prints sent directly to your email!

Wednesday 14th May, 10:00-11:00,

Springtime Sensory Play

Fun, themed sensory stations for your little one to explore! Including lights, music, bubbles, and more to spark curiosity and creativity! Plus a handprint station for a cherished keepsake.

Price: £5 per child with one accompanying adult. £2 per additional accompanying adult

Tuesday 27th May, 10:00-11:00,

Storytime & Free Books

Bring your little one and their favourite teddy for a super storytelling session that will peak their imagination. Our readers will host group session reads, or children can explore the vast range of books by themselves or with you. What’s more, every child will be gifted a bag of books to enjoy at home, worth over the ticket price!

Price: £5 per child with one accompanying adult. £2 per additional accompanying adult

A colourful poster titled "Spring Events" features a bright, cheerful design with a smiling sun illustration and decorative yellow flowers. The poster details four upcoming events organized by Fresh Futures for young children and their families: Under 5s Easter Party (17 April, 10 AM - 12 PM, £5) - A fun-filled Easter celebration with games, egg decorating, music, and more. The event is represented with an image of two young children wearing bunny ears and holding Easter eggs. Me & My Family Mini-Photoshoots (23 April, Pre-booking required, £35) - A professional 30-minute photo session by "Fly On The Wall Photographer," including digital prints, perfect for Father's Day gifts. The accompanying image shows a mother lovingly holding her baby. Springtime Sensory Play (14 May, 10 AM - 11 AM, £5) - A sensory play session with themed stations featuring lights, music, bubbles, and a handprint keepsake. The image shows a young child playing with sensory materials. Storytime & Free Books (27 May, 10 AM - 11 AM, £5) - A storytelling session where children can bring their favourite teddy and receive a bag of books worth over £5. The image shows a woman reading a story to a group of young children. At the bottom, a red banner displays Fresh Futures' contact details, website, and charity registration number. The text encourages booking through their website or via email and phone
Spring Events at Fresh Futures

Why You Should Get Involved

These events aren’t just about fun—they provide incredible developmental benefits for young children, including boosting imagination, improving social skills, and enhancing sensory exploration. Plus, they offer families the chance to connect with the community and make local connections.

How to Book

Call 01484 519988 (option 5 for reception) and a member of staff will be able to make the booking and take payment. Or you can visit Brian Jackson House and pay in person.


Fresh Futures Fair – open call for stall holders!

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

Do you create or sell artisan products and want to reach a fresh audience and widen your reach? If so, Fresh Futures wants to hear from you!

On Saturday 7th June, Fresh Futures – a Huddersfield based charity – is running a Craft Fair at its head office in central Huddersfield. The craft fair will be part of a wider family fun day, with children’s entertainment as well as food and drink vendors available onsite.

a poster that says Fresh Futures Fair, 7th June 2025 with 3 images of knitting, wreath crafting and pottery.

Fresh Futures is looking for local traders and businesses who would like to host a stand at the event.

Katie Shephard, Head of Income and Engagement, says “We’re excited to be hosting the first ever Fresh Futures Fair this June. We’re hoping it will be a great event for everyone to attend with unique shopping opportunities, combined with entertainment for kids and food and drink vendors attending. The best part is that every penny raised at the event will be directed towards our work supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families, from across the region.” 

Established in 1974, Fresh Futures is a regional charity that supports vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, and their families, within Kirklees and surrounding areas.  The vision is for all children and young people to have opportunities for a better life, now and in the future. To find out more about the charity and how you can support its work, visit https://freshfutures.org.uk/corporate-partnerships/

Interested in hosting a stand at the event? Find out more by emailing Katie Shephard on [email protected]. Places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

A poster that calls for stall holders at the fair, email katie.shephard@freshfutures.org.uk for details.

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

Empowering Futures: How Fresh Futures’ Employability Program Helped Libbie Build Her Dream Career

Posted on by Lynne Haigh

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.

With their guidance, Libbie transformed her passion into a thriving business, Pampered Perfection. Libbie first heard about Fresh Futures’ program 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-style experience, she was delighted to find an open and friendly environment where her confidence began to grow.

One of Libbie’s biggest initial challenges was overcoming her social anxiety. Nervous around new people and hesitant to speak up, she discovered that the program’s supportive mentors and peers helped her feel more comfortable.

By the end, she had built both friendships and professional connections. “The program gave me so much more confidence,” she recalls.

As she explored career options, Libbie’s passion for working in the beauty industry resurfaced. She received guidance through research assignments, networking sessions, and industry insights from the Fresh Futures team, who helped her see her dream as achievable.

“The best part was having someone to guide me on what to look for and how to get there. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them,” she says.

With this newfound confidence, Libbie took the leap. She began advertising beauty services from home, eventually moving into a professional salon setup in Marsden to meet growing demand.

Today, Libbie owns Pampered Perfection, a beauty business specializing in eyelash extensions and eyebrow treatments, with a loyal clientele and stellar reviews.

A collage of six images, showcasing a treatment room with a black bed, a neon blue sign that says dream surrounded by foliage, a treatment room with a black bed with blue LED lighting, a table with a plant and reed diffuser, shelves with reed diffusers and treatment equipment and the final picture has a white desk again with treatment equipment on.
The interior of Pampered Perfection

Libbie encourages young adults to consider the Employability Program: “If you’re introverted like I was, just go for it. The informal environment makes it easy to build confidence and could completely change how you see yourself.”

For those inspired by Libbie’s journey, follow her business on social media:

• Instagram: @pampered_perfection_

• Facebook: @PamperedPerfection

A side-by-side 'Before' and 'After' comparison of an eyebrow transformation. The 'Before' image at the top shows a person's eyebrow area with sparse, light-colored brows. The 'After' image at the bottom showcases the same eyebrow area with fuller, well-defined, and neatly shaped eyebrow. The background has a textured silver-grey design, and the words 'Before' and 'After' are written in stylish black cursive font in the respective corners of each image.
One of the treatments at Pampered Perfection
A close-up, angled view of a person's eye, showcasing freshly done eyelash extensions and well-groomed eyebrows. The eyelashes appear long, voluminous, and slightly curled, enhancing the eye's appearance. The eyebrow is neatly shaped with natural-looking hairs. The image is taken at an angle that emphasizes the eye's features.
One of the clients at Pampered Projection