FREE October Half-Term Holiday Club with Fresh Futures – Huddersfield!
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:
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.”
On Friday 1st August, to mark Yorkshire Day in true community spirit, a handful of cafés and supporters across Kirklees came together to take part in our first ever Fresh Futures Remote Coffee Morning and what a fantastic day it was!
Fresh Futures wanted to bring the people of Huddersfield and surrounding areas together for a town wide moment of joy, fuelled by good coffee, delicious cake, and a shared passion for supporting young people and families. At the heart of it all was a mission to raise both funds and awareness for the vital work carried out every day at Fresh Futures.
Participants joined in from their own cafés and workspaces. It was so lovely to see spaces decorated with Fresh Futures-branded goodies, from colourful bunting and posters to cake flags and toppers. We were blown away by the effort and enthusiasm.
A participating group told us:
“No one had heard of Fresh Futures, but they have now!”
We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Turntable Café, Banana Moon Nursery (Mirfield), and the Spen Valley and Dewsbury Soroptomists for being part of this special day and showing such brilliant support. You’ve helped shine a light on Fresh Futures and made a real difference.
We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
If you are interested in supporting Fresh Futures through fundraising, check out the events we have coming up or email [email protected].
Work Ready Programme – December 2025
Fresh Futures is pleased to offer a free two-day Work Ready Programme this summer at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield. Designed to support individuals in building confidence, improving wellbeing, and preparing for employment, the programme takes a holistic and person-centred approach.
Participants will benefit from:
The programme is ideal for those looking to re-enter the workforce, explore new opportunities, or improve their personal and professional skills in a supportive environment.
Places are limited. For more information or to reserve a place, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Fresh Futures is pleased to offer a free two-day Work Ready Programme this summer at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield. Designed to support individuals in building confidence, improving wellbeing, and preparing for employment, the programme takes a holistic and person-centred approach.
Participants will benefit from:
The programme is ideal for those looking to re-enter the workforce, explore new opportunities, or improve their personal and professional skills in a supportive environment.
Places are limited. For more information or to reserve a place, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Fresh Futures is pleased to offer a free two-day Work Ready Programme this summer at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield. Designed to support individuals in building confidence, improving wellbeing, and preparing for employment, the programme takes a holistic and person-centred approach.
Participants will benefit from:
The programme is ideal for those looking to re-enter the workforce, explore new opportunities, or improve their personal and professional skills in a supportive environment.
Places are limited. For more information or to reserve a place, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Fresh Futures is pleased to offer a free two-day Work Ready Programme this summer at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield. Designed to support individuals in building confidence, improving wellbeing, and preparing for employment, the programme takes a holistic and person-centred approach.
Participants will benefit from:
The programme is ideal for those looking to re-enter the workforce, explore new opportunities, or improve their personal and professional skills in a supportive environment.
Places are limited. For more information or to reserve a place, please contact:
Email: [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 Ruby who is an Elevate Volunteer. We caught up with Ruby to hear about her Fresh Futures volunteering journey so far…
I am going into my final year of university in September.
I think most people would describe me as chatty and I LOVE doing a jigsaw puzzle.
I have been volunteering with Elevate for 6 months, since the end of January this year.
I am mainly there to talk to about things, such as something specific for a session.
The main aim is to make and everyone feel involved and included throughout the duration of the session.
I wanted to do some form of volunteering and when I found the opportunity with Fresh Futures I knew it would be something that i would enjoy doing.
I love coming to the sessions every week and am glad to have made new friends and connections.
A typical day volunteering would include me showing up to our usual room and helping set up; organising which games we want to play; helping tidy up and chatting with everyone.
If we have something scheduled like going bowling or to a food bank, sometimes we meet at the place and then I get involved in the activity like everyone else.
Fresh Futures is a great place to volunteer, all the staff are kind and friendly.
The atmosphere is welcoming and there’s always something going on activities wise!!
If you feel inspired to become a volunteer like Ruby, or if you would like to volunteer in any way for our charity, please contact Lucy on 01484 519988 or [email protected]
Fresh Futures wishes to share some important news. On 30th June, the Befriending Service was officially handed over to Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees.
This decision was not made lightly; it followed careful thought and planning. The Charity firmly believes that handing the service over to Age UK is the best way to ensure the project continues to deliver outstanding support for isolated individuals, while allowing Fresh Futures to focus on its core charity values – supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people in Kirklees and the surrounding areas.
Fresh Futures has worked closely with Age UK for many years, including during the pandemic when the two organisations collaborated to deliver the Befriending Partnership. The Charity knows firsthand how exceptional Age UK is at providing caring, community-based support for older people. Fresh Futures is confident that Age UK will continue to offer the same warm, friendly connections that have made this service so special.
The Charity would like to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey. To all the staff and volunteers, your time, dedication, and kindness have made a significant difference in many people’s lives. To everyone who has taken part in the service, thank you for the connections made and the moments shared.
As Fresh Futures takes the next steps in delivering its core projects for children and young people, the Charity remains proud of everything the Befriending Service has achieved over the years. It has been a privilege to witness the support that has been provided and the joy that has come from the relationships built through the project.
Fresh Futures is excited to see the Befriending Service continue to thrive under the leadership of Age UK and is confident it will continue to make a meaningful difference in the community for years to come.
To keep up to date with the Befriending Service and Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees, please visit their website, and their Facebook page.