Today we’re talking to Mark Farmer, Fresh Futures’ CE, to ask him about the new brand launched earlier this week. Mark, YCC has become Fresh Futures – tell us why you’ve decided to change your name.
“When we were established 50 years ago, our vision was simple: to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Kirklees. Over recent years, our remit has diversified and we provide many more services. From our work with young people at our alternative education provision through to our work with perpetrators of domestic abuse, our services are more holistic today, than ever before. We’ve changed our name to one that represents our vision to enable children, young people and their families to have to have opportunities for a better life, both now and in the future.”
What difference will the new brand make on the charity?
“The new brand won’t change the services we deliver or the support we provide – we will continue to deliver consistently and provide support to people who need us in Kirklees and the wider region.. The re-brand is about ensuring that our name demonstrates to the local communities who were are and what we do to help.”
This year is your 50th birthday, has the re-brand been planned with this significant anniversary in mind?
“Absolutely! For us, our 50th birthday is a great opportunity to look back at the fantastic impact the team have made on the local community over the past 50 years. But it’s also an opportunity for us to look forward about how we can help over the next 50 years.
We all recognise that these are challenging times for many. Between the pandemic and global wars, through to the cost of living crisis, many people from Kirklees are struggling and living in poverty. Fresh Futures wants to be at the heart of finding solutions in our communities, championing new projects and continuing to diversify and support more people.”
What’s on the horizon over the next year for Fresh Futures?
“We have some exciting new projects coming up over the next 12 months. In January we’ll be launching a warm spaces project, from there we’re developing an employability offering and a support network specifically designed with young adults at the heart of it. There’s also developments within our education provision, with a move towards more vocational courses, alongside opening our doors to offer education to post 16 young people.
Both I and the trustees feel that Fresh Futures is the right name for the exciting developments ahead, while still representing our core services supporting children, young people and their families.”
Watch this space – exciting times for Fresh Futures ahead.