WHAT WE DO

We help London children who are struggling with complex disadvantage, to feel included, adventurous, proud and successful – often for the first time in a long time.

Using outdoor adventures, intensive time alongside attuned adults and structures that help to build friendships and social skills, we work with children for as long as they need to build their confidence and better see their skills and talents. In turn, this work helps them to change their stories about who they are, and what they are capable of.

the need for our work

100%

100% 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.

37%

37% have a history of, or concerns around, potential abuse or neglect.

93%

93% are experiencing emotional, social or behavioural difficulties.

54%

54% are either at risk of, or have experienced, an exclusion from school, or have been the subject of a referral to Social Services in the last year.

Repeated adverse experiences change the way children think about themselves and their place in the world. Over time, many become used to feeling excluded, rejected and different from their peers and their sense of what they are able to achieve narrows and dims. These children need intensive positive support and nurture in order to develop a healthier story about themselves and rebuild the confidence, self-esteem and belief in their own potential that are the building blocks of future mental health.

Read more about the difference our work makes >

THE JOURNEY STAGE 1 London-based children (aged 8-12) are initially referred to us by a professional who is working with them – often a Social Worker, CAMHS practitioner or their school. We prioritise offering support to those with the highest levels of need. Many are described by referrers as ‘hard to reach’ and struggle with less specialist provision. THE JOURNEY STAGE 2 They are initially invited to attend a five-day Thrive Outside gateway residential trip. Based in beautiful natural environments and using the outdoors to support children to try new and adventurous activities, the initial project helps us to build trust, better understand the child’s needs and assess whether they would benefit from longer term support. THE JOURNEY STAGE 3 Following this, we feed back and work with referrers to identify what ongoing support we can offer to the children who are most in need. From returning on future residentials, to accessing one to one mentoring, to joining our Journey Programme, a series of specifically tailored residential projects with the same group of high need young people over an 18−month period. THE JOURNEY STAGE 4 Where children need ongoing support, we work alongside them for as long as they need – often throughout childhood and adolescence. Children move between the various interventions we offer as needs develop or change. Throughout, we aim to work closely with the other organisations in their support network, providing feedback after each project. THE JOURNEY STAGE 5 When young people become too old to attend our main residential projects, some train with us and are supported to become peer mentors for the younger children through our Young Leaders’ Programme. We also support Young Leaders with personal development opportunities and coaching. At age 18, they are supported to transition into our adult volunteering team. We see them as the future of the organisation.

GATEWAY PROJECTS

Initial 5 day residential projects for 8 – 12 year olds

Click for more >

MENTORING

Follow on 1:1 support on a weekly/fortnightly basis in London

Click for more >

JOURNEY PROJECTS

Series of 6 residentials over 18 months for 12−16 year olds with complex needs

Click for more >

YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAMME

Supported volunteering, and coaching for 14−18 year olds

Click for more >

“The best thing about Free to Be Kids is the trips and the fun. I feel like I get a break from home. It’s quite stressful at home – we don’t have much space and there’s loads of us. At Free to Be Kids, there’s lots of space and so you can get things out of your head.”

Mason, age 11

“I’d 110% recommend Free to Be Kids to other families. Every one of the staff and volunteers was so, so nice. They took my Saffy under their wings and she felt loved and cared for. She felt like she was with family.”

Saffron’s mum

“We learn a lot of valuable life lessons, especially with situations where you’re scared or anxious, because the activities are purposely there to help you go through the emotions and think, in the future, “Oh, I handled that by doing this!” It kinda helps you think about how to cope if you get into tough situations.”

Lauren, age 15

“We learn a lot of valuable life lessons, especially with situations where you’re scared or anxious, because the activities are purposely there to help you go through the emotions and think, in the future, “Oh, I handled that by doing this!” It kinda helps you think about how to cope if you get into tough situations.”

Lauren, age 15

“I’d 110% recommend Free to Be to other families. Every one of the staff and volunteers was so, so nice. They took my Saffy under their wings and she felt loved and cared for. She felt like she was with family.”

Saffron’s mum

“The best thing about Free to Be Kids is the trips and the fun. I feel like I get a break from home. It’s quite stressful at home – we don’t have much space and there’s loads of us. At Free to Be there’s lots of space and so you can get things out of your head.”

Mason, age 11

Free To Be Kids

OUR IMPACT

0%
of children attending a gateway Thrive Outside project report positive indicators of improved self-esteem after completing our projects.
0%
of children report achieving something they’d not thought possible.
0%
of children show improvement in social confidence.
0%
of children develop new social skills, including making keeping friends and managing better with frustration/challenge.