ABOUT US
Since 2015, we have been supporting some of London’s most vulnerable children to change their stories about themselves, using our immersive residential projects and follow on support. With backgrounds in youth work, social work and education our staff, supported by a 350 strong team of vibrant, committed volunteers, are passionate about ensuring that every child feels successful.
Hear from our CEO on the impact of our work
OUR STORY
MEET THE TEAM
Our Staff Team
Mike
Mike is our CEO and steers the Free to Be Kids ship. With over 15 years as a frontline Social Worker and expert in safeguarding support for the highest risk children he co-founded Free to Be Kids in 2015 to make sure these children had access to transformative support to rebuild their mental health via the outdoors and adventure.
Nina
Nina has been key in growing the systems which make our residential projects tick and manages logistics around residential projects to ensure all run efficiently and in line with our policies.
Daisy-Mummery
With experience in fundraising and project management, Daisy is responsible for managing our relationship with funders and our communication channels
Matt-Davis
With over 15 years experience in the charity sector, Matt manages all of our volunteer recruitment, retention, support and training processes.
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Drawing on her background as a Social Worker, Naomi is responsible for managing our referrals process, selecting young people for our programme, and referring them for ongoing support at Free to Be Kids.
Holly-Slimming-Senior-Funraising-Officer
Holly plays a key role in delivering income from Trusts, Foundations, Corporates and sponsored events, as well as reporting back to our donors.
Will
Will supports Nina and Naomi to ensure that our year round work is delivered safely and efficiently - from looking after our equipment, to booking outdoor activities and ordering the food.
Georgie
Georgie works alongside Damson to recruit, induct and support our volunteers - from organising DBS checks and interviews, to ensuring key training is completed and everyone has the information they need to make a difference to our children.
Naaman
Kendra is starting her fundraising journey at Free to Be Kids, delivering income from Trusts, Foundations and Corporate partners, as well as supporting all things fundraising, including sponsored runs, events and reporting!
Kendra-Gyimah
Anna brings a wealth of experience working directly with complex young people in a range of London settings. Anna leads our Mentoring and Young Leader support programmes.
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With years of experience working with young people from across London, Naaman provides targeted youth support for some of our most vulnerable young people.
damson
Coming from a background in teaching, drama and HR, Damson manages all of our volunteer recruitment, retention, support and training processes.
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Emma-Kendall
Emma has a senior level background in contract law and coaching. She brings substantial judgement, analytical thinking and risk management experience with her to the Board. Emma serves as Free to Be Kids' Chair of Trustees.
Leila-Shepherd
Leila is Managing Director of the Helix Centre for health technology and has a high level career in health, strategy, technology and systems management. Leila is Deputy Chair of Trustees.
Elena-Davies
Elena has a senior level career in strategy, investments and finance, having held several Director of Finance roles. She is the lead Board member for finance and accounting.
Rosie-McPherson
Rosie is an expert in all things comms, heading up this work across multiple organisations, as well as holding earlier career experience in youth work and therapeutic interventions. Rosie is Free to Be Kids' Secretary, and is also a long-term project volunteer.
Gemma-Chenney
Gemma is a Clinical Psychologist and expert in Looked After Children's mental health. She is currently Head of Integrated Therapies at a national organisation, having formerly held multiple roles leading CAMHS services in London. She is the lead board member for safeguarding.
Sola-Adebiyi
Sola is an experienced therapeutic youth practitioner, trainer, and storyteller who is an expert in the use of creativity with marginalised young people.
Richard-Nicholas
Richard is an entrepreneur, CEO and senior business growth and transformation specialist with a lengthy career in business leadership.
Joel-Campbell-Brazier
Joel is an experienced Youth Worker, mentor and training & development coordinator with over 13 years' experience of cutting edge youth work across London.
Beulah-Antonin
Beulah is a senior leader in the finance, mortgage and protection world, with an earlier career in charity fundraising and business development.
Amy-Kate-Robinson
Amy is Head of International Strategy at the UK Home Office, and as well as a successful civil service career has been volunteering with Free to Be Kids since our inception.
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Theresa has a substantial career history as a CEO and senior level fundraiser, having previously been CEO of the National Brain Appeal, Head of Fundraising at the RNIB and Fundraising Director at Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
OUR VALUES
