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 has been a trainer on the subject of early trauma and attachment. She has vast experience of supporting and engaging with children and their families, including 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 currently the Chief Operations Officer for FREEDOM 2. Her works involves working with vulnerable teenage girls in East London, offering services to help girls know their worth and significance, so that they can go on and reach their potential.

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.