HISTORY
There was a man with a vision, a dream that saw the people of an impoverished and neglected inner-city community being set free from all that stopped them realizing and reaching their full potential in life. The vision became a reality in 1998 with the development of a support group for dads and an attempt at a community musical performance called Hopes & Dreams. free@last was established to develop and structure this vision and work and was finally registered as a charity in December 1999 and a limited company in 2003.

free@last’s Vision
To improve the lives of the children
and young people of Nechells.

MISSION
free@last is committed to providing opportunities, activities, mentoring and support for children and young people in Nechells, and to further their interests by working with their families, other agencies and relevant professionals.

VALUES
Giving opportunities to all young people in Nechells without distinction.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES
Aim 1: To engage children and young people in a range of developmental and progressive activities which provide opportunities for success and to broaden their horizons.

Objectives
• To encourage young people to be involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and to help them to complete each section of the award.
• To organise a range of adventure activity programmes including rock climbing, kayak/canoeing, mountain biking and archery.
• To run weekly youth club activities.
• To run a sports programme that includes football, netball, table tennis and cricket.
• To organise school holiday programmes.
• To run weekly workshops for children to enjoy with their dads/father figures.

Aim 2: To support children and young people through life’s challenges and difficulties.

Objectives
• To identify the issues young people face and how to overcome these issues.
• To provide support, advice, guidance and signposting where appropriate for children and young people who are facing specific difficulties and challenges like, grief, homelessness, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, bullying, education, careers, relationships, sexual health etc.
• To use the Common Assessment Framework for children who require multi-agency support.
• To provide appropriate staff and volunteers to mentor and support children in need.
• To develop specific programmes (with other agencies where appropriate) that address issues that are not being met by other statutory or third sector organisations in Nechells.
• To meet the needs of the local schools who have children at risk of exclusion, through alternative education programmes.

Aim 3: To support their families to provide the best possible environment for their children to grow, develop and flourish.

Objectives
• To provide one to one and group support for mums and dads to enable and equip them to support their children through their growth and development from birth to adulthood.
• To provide support, advice, guidance and signposting where appropriate for parents and other adults who are facing specific difficulties and challenges like, debt, unemployment, grief, homelessness, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, etc.
• To provide support services for parents whose relationships are struggling/broken and having a negative impact on their children.
• To provide positive opportunities for parents and children to spend quality time together and develop their learning, relationships and positive memories together.

Aim 4: To take a multi-agency approach to improving the lives of children and young people.

Objectives
• To promote our services to both local people and other organisations.
• To network effectively with other agencies and professionals working in the area in order to rationalise service provision, avoid duplication and work in partnership.
• To attend multi-agency meetings and arrange 1 to 1 sessions with other professionals to explain our services.
• To produce effective resources that can be given to local people, professionals and funders to promote our services.

The main priority of free@last is to build positive trusting relationships with local people. Through these friendships people allow us to become involved in their lives and we can provide support for anyone who asks for it.