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Tag: #Kirklees

Fresh Futures Launches Every Birthday Counts Campaign to Support Children Across Kirklees

Posted on by Aimee Webb

Fresh Futures mission is for all children, young people and their families to have opportunities for a better life, now and in the future. The charity is delighted to announce the launch of it’s Every Birthday Counts campaign, a heartfelt initiative ensuring that children and young people across Kirklees can experience the joy of receiving a birthday gift, regardless of their circumstances.

Following the overwhelming generosity shown during our Christmas Toy Appeal last year, which received an exceptional number of donations of toys and gifts, we are now able to extend support throughout the year. Thanks to this kindness from local businesses and the community, Fresh Futures can now offer birthday gifts to children and young people aged 0–18 years who may otherwise go without.

The image shows a promotional poster for the Every Birthday Counts Campaign, the poster identifies that if you need help with a birthday gift for your child, Fresh Futures can help. The poster is very colourful and includes cartoon graphics of presents and bunting.
Every Birthday Counts Poster

The Every Birthday Counts campaign provides age‑appropriate birthday gifts to families facing financial challenges. We are encouraging professionals and community partners to help spread the word so that support reaches those who need it most. Thanks to the generosity of UK Greetings, Fresh Futures is also offering age appropriate cards and gifts to families to give to their children and loved one.

Katie Shephard, Head of Income and Engagement, says

“ I am thrilled to be able to launch this new project to support families across Kirklees. At Fresh Futures, we know that this is a challenging period with fuel and petrol prices likely to continue to increase, leading to additional pressure on family budgets. We are delighted to be able to offer year round support to families who need us and I’d urge all families who need to access the project to get in touch as soon as possible to secure a gift for their child. We are here to help.”

How Families Can Access Support

Families who would like to request a gift for their child or young person can access the appeal in two ways:

  • 1. Email Fresh Futures directly: Please contact [email protected] to request birthday gift support.
  • Through Families Together Navigators at the Kirklees Family Hubs: Families can also speak with their Families Together Navigator, who can help make a referral on their behalf.

It is important to note that:

  •  There is a two‑week turnaround from the point of referral to the delivery of birthday gifts.
  • Gifts are limited and will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis. This project will only run as long as we have gifts available.

Fresh Futures extends its gratitude to all supporters and donors who help make this campaign possible. Together, we can ensure that Every Birthday Counts for children across our community.

For any further details or enquiries, please email:
📧 [email protected]

Spotlight on Fresh Futures: Our Rangoli Radio Feature

Mark Farmer (CEO) & Katie Shephard (head of Income and partnerships) for Fresh Futures featuring on Rangoli radio, show presented by Rashik Parmar & Hari Joshi
Posted on by Rahel Abegas
Mark Farmer (CEO) & Katie Shephard (head of Income and partnerships) for Fresh Futures featuring on Rangoli radio, show presented by Rashik Parmar & Hari Joshi

Last week, we had the pleasure of joining Rangoli Radio to talk all about Fresh Futures, our mission, and the work that were doing to support children and young people across Kirklees – and how our partnerships are helping to create brighter futures for the next generation.

Hosted by Rashik Parmar and Hari Joshi, the interview featured our CEO, Mark Farmer, and Head of Income & Partnerships, Katie Shephard, who shared the heart behind Fresh Futures, the challenges young people face today, and the opportunities that can transform their lives.

During the discussion, Mark spoke about the significance behind our name — and how it reflects our purpose.

“Really, that name sums up what we do. We are here to give a fresh future… it’s all about opportunities and fresh futures.”

— Mark Farmer, CEO

Fresh Futures exists to ensure every child and young person has the chance to succeed, no matter their background or obstacles they may face. Whether through education, mentoring, wellbeing support, or community partnerships, our work centres on opening doors and creating pathways to brighter outcomes.

“If (people) can do more, they should do more. That’s why we exist.” added Mark.

Katie shared powerful insights about the role our teams play in supporting young people — not only academically, but holistically.

“Our colleges are wonderful at providing a holistic wraparound support for our young people… we’re not just teachers. We really support them, build their confidence, give them life skills, and give them the ability to thrive in the real world.”
— Katie Shephard, Head of Income & Partnerships

This whole‑person approach is central to our work. Many young people need more than lessons; they need encouragement, stability, and the belief that they can succeed. Our staff and partners work tirelessly to offer exactly that.

Our conversation with Rangoli Radio highlighted just how much can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision — a vision of opportunity, hope, and positive change.

If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to the full conversation here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sLKJzN9GCzLb-mGINJJ14P-mPJUyLV9J/view

A big thank you to Rangoli Radio for shining a ‘spotlight’ on Fresh Futures. We look forward to building more partnerships like this in the future.

Supporting Positive Destinations: Introducing Our New Work Wardrobe

Posted on by Aimee Webb

At Fresh Futures, the ambition is clear: every young person who graduates from the provision should move on to a positive destination. What that looks like can vary significantly depending on individual needs, strengths and aspirations. For some young people, the right next step may be further education or training, while for others it may be securing employment. Fresh Futures’ role is to provide tailored support that helps each young person move forward with confidence and purpose.

One barrier we identified for many of the learners was the interview process. Interviews can be an intimidating experience, particularly for young people who may lack confidence or have limited experience in professional settings. Fresh Futures’ know that feeling comfortable and confident in how you present yourself can make a real difference, so began exploring ways to offer more practical support.

As a result, Fresh Futures is proud to be developing an onsite ‘work wardrobe’ at our post-16 education provision. This will allow young people to access appropriate, smart outfits for interviews and work placements, helping to remove financial barriers and boost self-confidence at a crucial moment.

To bring this idea to life, we contacted Owen Scott, a bespoke tailors based in central Huddersfield. They immediately understood the purpose and impact of the appeal and were keen to help. Owen Scott generously donated a range of high-quality items, including full suits, waistcoats, shirts and shoes – all carefully selected to be suitable for interviews and professional settings.

Scott, owner of Owen Scott, said:
“As a local business, we believe strongly in supporting young people in our community. When Fresh Futures approached us, it was clear how much of a difference this initiative could make. Something as simple as the right outfit can completely change how someone feels walking into an interview.”

Two people stand inside a bespoke tailor shop with warm wooden interiors. A man in a tweed jacket and tie holds a black garment bag branded “Owen Scott Bespoke Tailor,” while a woman in a cream knit sweater and dark jeans stands beside him, smiling. Behind them are shelves neatly stacked with folded shirts and a wall sign reading “Owen Scott Bespoke Tailor,” with mirrors and tailoring displays visible in the background.Two people stand inside a bespoke tailor shop with warm wooden interiors. A man in a tweed jacket and tie holds a black garment bag branded “Owen Scott Bespoke Tailor,” while a woman in a cream knit sweater and dark jeans stands beside him, smiling. Behind them are shelves neatly stacked with folded shirts and a wall sign reading “Owen Scott Bespoke Tailor,” with mirrors and tailoring displays visible in the background.
Receiving the donation from Owen Scott

Mark Farmer, Chief Executive of Fresh Futures, added:
“This donation will have a lasting impact on our young people. The work wardrobe is about more than clothes – it’s about confidence, dignity and helping young people believe in their own potential. We’re incredibly grateful to Owen Scott for their generosity and support.”

Get Involved

Fresh Futures is now inviting other local businesses and organisations to support this initiative by donating suitable interview clothing or making a contribution towards expanding the work wardrobe. Whether it’s clothing, footwear or financial support, every donation helps us ensure young people feel prepared, confident and valued as they take their next steps.

If your business would like to get involved and make a real difference to young people in our community, contact us using the button below!

Contact Us

Jobs Fair

We’re looking forward to attending this local Jobs Fair and chatting all things Elevate and employment!
Come and find out more about our FREE Elevate Work Ready courses, designed to support people to build confidence, develop employability skills, and take their next steps towards work or training.
📍 DRAM Centre, Ridgeway, Huddersfield, HD5 9QJ
What to expect on the day:
➜ Meet local employers who are hiring now
➜ Explore full-time, part-time, and apprenticeship opportunities
➜ Access recruitment advice and ongoing support, including careers guidance, CV help, application support, and interview tips
➜ Get help to overcome barriers to employment and learning
Email [email protected] to confirm your attendance.
Pop along, say hello, and see how we can support your next steps 👋✨

People Helping People Networking Event

Join us for an evening of connection, collaboration and community support at our next People Helping People meeting.
We’re welcoming guest speakers Lucy Moore (Senior Partnerships Manager) and Emma Dickens (Associate Director of Charity & Partnerships) from Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, who will be sharing insights into MY Community Promise.
We’ll also hear from Billy Tindle, Third Sector Officer at Kirklees Council, who will demystify the funding process, share guidance on applying for grants, and offer practical tips to make securing funding easier.
🤝 Why come along?
• Meet TSL Kirklees and discover local funding opportunities
• Connect with your local Community Anchors, Fresh Futures and S2R Creative Space, and learn how they can support your group
• Hear from local community organisations and charities
• Share updates about your services and learn what others are doing
• Get tips on promotion, volunteering, staying connected and finding funding
• Network with others who are working to make a difference in North Kirklees
This event is delivered in partnership with TSL and S2R Create Space (Dewsbury & Mirfield Community Anchor), and is open to all VCSE groups across North Kirklees.

FREE Wellbeing Event

You’re warmly invited to our FREE Wellbeing Event
Take a little time for you and join us on Thursday 8 January 2026, 10:15am–1:15pm, at Batley Community Centre (Upper Commercial Street, Batley WF17 5DH).
Enjoy a relaxed, friendly session and discover the support available to you, including:
✨ NHS Talking Therapies – practical relaxation tools and an overview of their services
✨ Kirklees Wellness Service – simple lifestyle changes that can make a real difference to everyday wellbeing
Get in touch to find out more!
📞 01484 415465
💬 WhatsApp: 07849 398828
We’d love to see you there!

Meet Santa Claus!

Santa’s coming to Brian Jackson House!

Bring the whole family for a FREE magical visit to Santa’s Grotto, where little ones can share their wishes, take festive photos, and even choose their own special toy from our toy shop!
Warm up with drinks and festive treats in the café and don’t forget to post your letter to Santa while you’re here!
Book now via Eventbrite or call 01484 519988.

People Helping People – Batley

Local network meeting for community, voluntary & mutual aid groups in Batley & Spen.
Explore funding, find volunteers & unlock transport solutions.
Come along to:
-Meet local support charity TSL Kirklees. Find out about local funding and ways that they can help your group.
-Meet your local TSL Community Anchor, Fresh Futures . Find out what they are and how they can offer even more local support.
-Hear from local community groups and charities.
-Share information and updates about your services and activities and hear news from other local groups.
-Learn about ways to promote your group, stay connected, recruit volunteers and get funding.
-Network – connect and collaborate to work together and help each other.
This event will focus on two key challenges:
-Community transport – exploring issues faced locally and learning from solutions developed elsewhere.
-Volunteer connections – linking organisations with the people and skills they need to thrive.
Guest speakers will share best practices and ideas that could be adapted for the local area.
We’ll also provide updates on the current funding landscape and discuss opportunities available to support your organisation.
Although this meeting takes place in Batley, it is open to groups from across North Kirklees.
Come along to connect, share, and strengthen our local third sector together.
If you cannot attend this time, a follow-up event will be held in Dewsbury later this year.
These meetings are run by the local TSL Kirklees Community Anchor organisations in partnership with TSL Kirklees, which means that we can really tailor the information and support for your local area.
Please note: This event is organised by Fresh Futures in partnership with TSL Kirklees – a local charity that gives free support, advice and training to any charity, community group or social enterprise in Kirklees – and is only open to any workers, trustees or volunteers from third sector organisations based or working in Kirklees. Our events and services are free because, like any other charity, we rely on grants and funding. If you have booked a place and then cannot make it, please cancel your place via Eventbrite or by emailing [email protected], so that we can offer that place to someone else and so that our funding isn’t wasted.

Fresh Futures: Brushing Up on Oral Health

Titled community impact in action with a cartoon figure brushing their teeth, on a light purple background underneath Fresh Futures logo
Posted on by Lucy Martin

Fresh Futures focuses on providing support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people. That’s why we were thrilled to receive funding from Public Health to deliver a new Oral Health campaign for children.

Since February 2025, Fresh Futures has distributed over 1,000 toothbrush and toothpaste packs through community events and partner organisations. Our Community Champions have attended more than 16 local sessions, from stay-and-play groups to coffee mornings, creating welcoming opportunities to talk about oral health.

By working alongside other charities, early years settings, and local networks, we’ve extended our reach and impact, ensuring more families have the knowledge and tools to protect their children’s teeth.

Our approach combines practical support with accessible education. Champions use engaging resources, like a giant teeth board where children “brush away” coloured-in plaque, to show the benefits of brushing for the full two minutes.

Parents receive tailored advice, guidance on registering with dental practices accepting new patients, and help overcoming barriers such as waiting lists, inconvenient appointment times, or uncertainty about the importance of check-ups.

To reinforce these messages at home, we’ve distributed 100 copies of To Be a Star, a storybook designed to help under-fives understand and enjoy daily brushing. Shared through early years groups, libraries, and community sessions, it’s proving a powerful tool to help children build lifelong habits.

Mark Farmer, Chief Executive, at Fresh Futures says:

“We’re incredibly proud to have shared such important oral health messages with children across Kirklees. By working hand-in-hand with local partners and empowering our Community Champions, we’ve been able to deliver these messages in a way that truly resonates , the project has been powerful, practical, and centred around the real needs of families. At the heart of this project is a simple goal: giving every child the best start in life with a healthy smile.”

The impact of the project has been tangible and Fresh Futures noted:

  • Greater awareness and confidence among parents to support their children’s oral health.
  • Early intervention reducing the likelihood of preventable dental issues.
  • Reduced stigma by delivering information in trusted, informal spaces.
  • A bridge between knowing and doing, families leave with both the understanding and the resources to act immediately.

As one Champion put it: “Seeing children get excited about brushing, and helping families find a dentist, is incredibly rewarding. The change starts small, but it lasts a lifetime.”

If you would like to get in touch with the team, please email on [email protected] or call us on 01484 415465.