The founder of FREEDOM 2, Melanie Manning is a qualified primary school teacher with over 10 years’ experience in Education and over 20 years working with children and young people. After initially working as a class teacher, she then qualified to be a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and more recently has been a trainer on the subject of early trauma and attachment issues. She has vast experience of supporting and engaging with children and their families, including troubled families, looked after children and children with special educational needs. Melanie has led interventions and training for parents, carers, special guardians, school staff and professionals and has extensive experience of multi-agency work.

Melanie is passionate about encouraging healthy self-esteem and seeing young people reach their potential. In 2012 she was Head Facilitator of Shine, which is a self-esteem course for women and wrote an accompanying girls programme called Flourish.

Melanie holds a degree in Applied Social and Sciences and an MSc in Anthropology Human Rights and Justice. Through her fieldwork for her Masters, Melanie spent time working closely with the human trafficking department at Essex police, considering the role of training in child protection. She then worked at The Medaille Trust, as part of the Modern Slavery Partnership in Hampshire.

Melanie Manning BA PgCert Msc - Founder / Chief Operations Officer

Nicky works for a Reinsurance company in London, she is married to Nigel Langford and together they lead Hub Church.

Nicky likes doing the Saturday 5km local Park Runs and bike riding.

Nicky Langford - Secretary

Transforming peoples lives through helping them reach higher and further than they thought possible is Oge’s mission.  A medical doctor for more than 2 decades, Leadership & Executive Coach, Author and Speaker, she is committed to helping business owners, leaders in the corporate and non-profit leaders reach their full potential while enjoying the journey at the same time.  Oge is the owner and founder of Reach Coaching and through workshops, individual coaching and motivational speaking, she helps people see what is possible and then supports them as they reach for the stars.  

Oge is married to Austin and they have two young adult children Shona and Daniel.

Oge Austin-Chukwu - Chair 

Wayne Bishop, first graduated from Birmingham City Uni with a degree in business studies. Spent the next nine years working in the City and Frankfurt in global derivatives.  Took a break to study in the inaugural year of a church leadership programme in 2000 and  has co-led missions to Poland and India.  Returned to the City in 2002 and is now CEO of an Ethical Asset Management company. Also studied and attained a Graduate Diploma in Kingdom Theology and is active in a local church plant.

Has a growing family with 2 adult and one teenage child and with his wife are foster careers in their local community. Also is a director/trustee of two churches and a crisis pregnancy charity.

Wayne Bishop 

Sejal Mistry is a highly motivated and enthusiastic ACCA qualified finance professional with over 9 years’ experience. 

In her spare time she loves travelling to different countries (most recently came back from Central America) and enjoys trying out different restaurants in London. 

Sejal Mistry - Volunteer Account Manager

Elsa is a first year University student at Goldsmiths College studying Education, Culture and Society. She is really passionate about the power of youth voice and being a part of inspiring change. Elsa loves community centred work and currently runs a local initiative aimed at spreading small acts of kindness and is very involved with some charity youth boards which focus on mental health and anti-bullying awareness.

In her free time, Elsa enjoys playing music, attending dance classes and spending time with her family. Elsa is really excited and grateful to be a youth trustee for Freedom 2 and is looking forward to bringing her experiences and ideas to this exciting role.

Elsa Arnold – Youth  Trustee

FREEDOM 2 are extremely grateful for our volunteers and the time and energy that they sow into the organisation.

For more information about how you might volunteer your time to support the work of FREEDOM 2, please email mel.manning@freedom2.org.uk or visit the 'Support Our Work' page.

FREEDOM 2 provides a self-development programme for girls (between the ages of 12 years and 17 years) who are potentially at risk of exploitation. FREEDOM 2 champions and empowers girls to have the strength to use their voice and begin to discover how to reach their potential through a series of sessions (8 weeks) focusing on topics such as their self-worth, healthy relationships, consent and goals for the future.

For more information please email mel.manning@freedom2.org.uk

For more information, please feel free to watch the video below or email mel.manning@freedom2.org.uk