Founder Melanie Manning

Founder of FREEDOM 2, Mel Manning is a qualified primary school teacher with over 24 years experience in Education. After initially working as a class teacher, she then qualified to be a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and more recently a Senior Lecturer in Special Education at the University of East London.

Melanie is passionate about promoting healthy mental and digital wellbeing and seeing women and girls reach their potential. She has written a number of successful programmes that support and encourage female empowerment, largely through her charity FREEDOM 2.

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 education in child protection. Mel is currently a Doctoral student researching girls experiences in the digital space.

Mel is a trustee at the Breck Foundation and is a member of the Violence Against Women and Girls Independent Advisory Group for the MET police.

Melanie Manning BA PgCert Msc

The Trustees

  • Interim Chair

    Nicky joined the trustee board from the beginning in March 2018.  She has previously worked in the Reinsurance sector in the city of London, alongside side holding various roles in church leadership.

    Nicky is passionate about being a part of an organisation that seeks to end the exploitation of young girls.

    Outside of work life Nicky is married with one son and lives in Woodford Green. Her favourite hobbies include the 5km Saturday park run and appreciating good coffee!

  • Youth Trustee

    Amoni is a second-year Psychology student, passionate about empowering young girls to recognise their worth and achieve their potential. Guided by the Sikh principle of Seva (selfless service), she dedicates herself to helping others in need, contributing to her community through acts of kindness and promoting healthy self-esteem. Through her involvement with Freedom 2, Amoni supports girls in overcoming challenges, embracing their unique values, and building confidence.

    In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing games and painting.

  • Secretary

    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 South Africa) and enjoys trying out different restaurants in London.

  • Trustee

  • Trustee

    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.

Chair of Trustees

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Volunteers

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 ‘Make a Difference’ page.