One of Huddersfield’s biggest and best known charities set up 50 years ago has undergone a major rebrand and completely changed its name.
The Yorkshire Children’s Centre (YCC) based at Brian Jackson House on New North Parade in Huddersfield town centre became Fresh Futures from January 8 2024.
The charity, which now has 110 employees and 250 volunteers, has its roots back to 1974 when it was set up by visionary educationalist Brian Jackson and has been helping families ever since. It now focuses on four key areas – education, health and wellbeing, employability and healthy relationships with the services costing £3m a year to run.
Brian Jackson colleges in Huddersfield and Heckmondwike provide education for up to 80 young people aged 13-16 who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties and have been permanently excluded or are at risk of exclusion from mainstream schools.
The charity also works with some of the most disadvantaged people in Kirklees to try to get them into training or work.
The YCC promotes healthy relationships at its child contact centres supporting parents, grandparents or other family members who are no longer living with their children or there has been a breakdown in family relationships.
As part of a scheme called Thriving Kirklees involving several organisations, the YCC provides a range of services including Safety in the Home and Safety Rangers for school children. It also offers health, nutrition and wellbeing support to families in need.
Chief executive Mike Farmer said: “We are celebrating our 50th birthday year by rebranding and becoming Fresh Futures.
“We are changing our name to one that represents our vision to enable children, young people and their families to have opportunities for a better life, both now and in the future.
“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.
“For this reason, today we are re-branding to become Fresh Futures.”
He added: “Be assured that all of our services will continue to be delivered at our usual high standards and we will continue to deliver the same projects and provide the same support.”
The charity now has a new website www.freshfutures.org.uk and can be contacted at contactus@freshfutures.org.uk
Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.
