» Our impact

99%

of children working with us are from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds, including living with parents with addiction or mental health difficulties, facing homelessness, acting as young carers or living in poverty.

86%

of children reported trying something they’d previously not thought possible whilst with us.

91%

of children showed improvement in self-esteem and social confidence, with 77% showing very significant improvement

100%

of referrers providing feedback reported positive change in the child’s emotional wellbeing and/or behaviour after the project

Feedback

Referrers describe our projects as benefitting young people's education, emotional health and capacity to fulfil their potential. Feedback from schools shows every year that the opportunities we provide translate into observable improvements in confidence and self-belief in the classroom, and that this is still the case when measured at the end of the term after children have attended.

“What you offer is absolutely invaluable. I can’t tell you, honestly, the joy I had when the three children I referred were invited on the project. You made such a difference to them. Because of what was going on in their home lives, they desperately needed that respite to remove them from where they were and help them see that actually life can be different – to show them what’s out there and what they can aspire to as well.”

Head Teacher

“The project has significant impact for the children who attend - you carefully and with great sensitivity scaffold the right support around each child. It was clear there is growing need for this project and with additional funding, you will be able to reach more children and young people.”

BBC Children in Need

“The children had the opportunity to make new friends without them being in a situation where others had pre-conceived thoughts about their abilities: socially, emotionally or developmentally. This was a wonderful experience where they could explore, experience new things, and be the people they wanted to be whilst still feeling safe and secure.”

Social Worker

“We really trust Free to Be - you’re always so thorough and organised and so it feels really safe to send our vulnerable children to you. The feedback from the kids and their parents is always amazing. Every kid who goes away with you wants to go again and again and again.”

Deputy Head

Impact reports

Read more about our impact and hear directly from the children we’ve supported in our annual impact reports.

Download report