Education & Young People Health & Wellbeing
2023 Free
Free to Be Kids

Impact Report 2023

Free to Be Kids provides immersive outdoor residential and mentoring programmes for London's most disadvantaged children. In 2023, 213 children were supported across 327 residential project places; 94% reported improved self-esteem; 91% developed new social skills; 100% tried something they had not thought possible. 230 volunteers gave 16,000+ hours, equivalent to £218,397 at the London Living Wage. 13 Journey Project cohorts supported 37 young people aged 12-16.

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About

Thrive Outside residential gateway projects (5-day immersive); Journey Projects (18 months, 6 residentials); Saturday Club (9-month group programme); Thrive Mentoring (1:1, 12-18 months); Young Leaders' Programme (volunteer development for teens with lived experience)

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 213 children and young people supported; 327 residential project places provided entirely free of charge
Key Metric 2 230 volunteers gave 16,000+ hours — equivalent to £218,397 at the London Living Wage
Key Metric 3 94% of children reported improved self-esteem; 100% tried something they had not thought possible

Key Outcomes

  • 91% of children developed new social skills including making friends and managing frustration; 94% showed improvement in social confidence as reported by project workers
  • 92% of Journey Project participants felt more confident and resilient at programme end, with changes sustained at least 6 months post-programme; 100% of parents and referrers confirmed risk reduced in at least 2 key areas
  • 87% of Journey Project participants demonstrated sustained improvement in emotional health; 67% improved educational engagement; 96% recognised improvements in managing adversity and building relationships

Geography

London

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