free@last offers a variety of support and projects that provide opportunities for people to come together and learn new skills, have fun and improve their quality of life.

Youth work is one of our core strengths and we put a massive amount of time, resources and energy into providing support and opportunities for the children and young people of Nechells. This work has taken many different forms throughout the last 10 years, some have been consistent throughout, like the youth clubs, whereas other projects have been reliant on funding, staffing or resources. We have supported many young people and have great pleasure when we see them grow into responsible, caring and purposeful adults. There are many different forms that youth work can take and free@last have used many of these methods over the years but our focus is always on building long term relationships where we are trusted and available for the children and teenagers of Nechells.

Generic Youth Work
Our generic youth work seeks to enable groups of young people to increase the range of choices and opportunities available to them, in order that they may have new and diverse experiences and increase the influence that they can have in the decisions that affect their lives.

Youth Clubs
We run weekly youth clubs at 2 different venues for children and young people aged between 6 and 19. There are a variety of activities on offer including computer games, DJ’ing, table tennis, arts & crafts and a space to chill out and relax.

LUSH
LUSH (Learning Up on Sexual Health) is a sexual health peer education programme that uses music and film to challenge other young people about sex and relationships. A teaching booklet and DVD are available for schools and youth groups to use with their own young people.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards
This offers young people aged between 14 to 25 the chance to increase their range of skills and abilities in a variety of disciplines from residential projects to,
Expedition Camping in places like Scotland and the Lake District (that’s survival in wilderness conditions!)
Physical – doing stuff in the Gym, kayaking, football
Skill – mountain biking to skateboarding.
Service – volunteering in the local community.

Multi – Media
Is a project providing young people the opportunity to have a go at:
Garage Band, Reason and Logic – computer based Music Production
Djing – Learning to setup and mix music
Photography – taking pictures and using Photoshop
Vidiography – Shooting and Editing Video with Premiere and Final Cut.

Alternative Education
We provide alternative education for a young people in Nechells. During the past couple of years we have educated a year 10 pupil who needed something very different from mainstream school, teaching him music and multi-media, art and computers and core subjects; and have delivered an experimental programme fro 4 year 8 boys which was aimed at 4 days per week with 1 day a week back in school.

NEET
We have run several programmes for 16 to 24 year olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). Our latest programme is piloting a new approach by creating a structured programme with each young person based on their needs and aspirations. This is funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust.

Say What!
A support group for young parents that aims to assist them in working through this massive change in their lives, whether it be returning to education or developing their parenting skills.

Dads do it too!
This project aims to provide opportunities for dads to spend quality time with their kids as well as with other dads in order that they can support each other in all areas of life. Any dad can receive individual support from the dad’s workers and all dads are invited to get involved in the weekly workshops – bike maintenance, photography, music and arts & crafts.

We also offer support for other organisations to work with fathers, through either training for staff or delivering their fathers support for them.

Welfare benefits & debt advice
We provide free, confidential advice on any debt issue or benefit claim for people in Nechells. Our highly experienced adviser is able to guide and support you through the financial difficulties you may be experiencing.

Family Residentials
Although we provide a wide variety of trips and residential experiences for young people we also like to involve the whole family and aim to provide several opportunities per year for the whole family to go camping or use youth hostels to spend time together and have new experiences.