ESY receives £5,000 grant to support young people’s mental health
March 27, 2024
Electric Storm Youth (ESY) is delighted to announce that it has received a £5,000 grant from the Sussex Community Foundation (SCF), to support the mental health services it provides for young people living in Sompting and Lancing. The grant is made up of funding from the LF Fund and the Arthur & Doreen Green Fund at Sussex Community Foundation.
Commenting on being awarded the grant, John Randall ESY’s Fundraiser said “On behalf of the charity and our young people, we are absolutely delighted to receive this grant which recognises the vital work we undertake in supporting the mental health of young people in Sompting and Lancing. The grant will allow young people, aged 11-18 to access a high-quality emergency mental health service. This can be either through one-to-one clinical intervention sessions provided through Your Space Therapies based at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy, or mental health well-being early intervention drop-in sessions delivered by our Senior Youth Work Manager and one of our youth workers.
In awarding the grant, Sussex Community Foundation said, “We were very pleased to be able to support Electric Storm Youth through our LF Fund and the Arthur and Doreen Green Fund at Sussex Community Foundation. Through our funding, Electric Storm Youth will be working to address mental health challenges for young people aged 11-18 in Lancing and Sompting. This work supports marginalised young people living in some of the most deprived areas of Sussex, and aligns very well with our current funding priorities "
John concludes, “We believe our mental health services will help to build resilience, confidence and overall well-being of young people and equip them to cope with the stresses that live brings. It will lead to confident young people, willing to engage positively within the local community.”
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Laurence Davies to the Electric Storm Youth Board of Trustees!
We are proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with Andy’s Angels , a dedicated bereavement charity supporting children and families through grief. Beginning in January 2026, we will partner with them to deliver a youth work project at the Andy’s Angels Grief Play Café. This project is specifically designed to give young people a safe, creative, and supportive space to explore their emotions and connect with others who understand. The Grief Play Café, a welcoming drop-in hub where families can come together to talk, play, and heal, has already made a significant difference to many local families. With Electric Storm Youth joining the project, young people aged 10–18 will now have access to dedicated youth sessions, offering activities, group discussions, and creative expression opportunities led by a qualified youth worker. “We know how important it is for young people to have somewhere they feel understood,” said Kayla Shepherd, Founder of Andy’s Angels. “By working with Electric Storm Youth, we’re creating a space that combines grief support with youth empowerment, helping young people process loss in healthy, positive ways.” At Electric Storm Youth, we are known for our innovative work supporting young people across Lancing, Sompting and the wider Adur area. We will be bringing our expertise in youth engagement, mental wellbeing, and creative participation to the project. Together, our two charities aim to reduce isolation, build resilience, and promote open conversations about loss. Our CEO, Karen Jefford, shared why this partnership is so important to us: “Grief can feel incredibly isolating for young people. Through this partnership, we can give them somewhere safe to just be, to talk, connect, and know they’re not on their own. It’s about helping them find strength and hope in their own time, in their own way.” With sincere thanks to The David Hunt Foundation for their financial support, the new youth project sessions will run monthly at the Grief Play Café from January 2026.
Electric Storm Youth (ESY) today extended their deepest thanks after receiving an overwhelming donation of 31 gift bags for the Young Carers they support.
CEO Karen Jefford's October Blog
We Need Your Vote! Help Us Win a Share of Tesco’s Stronger Starts Fund.
Did you know our charity shop does more than just sell pre-loved items — it helps fund our youth work. Every donated item, every volunteer hour, and every bargain found contributes to the support we offer young people locally. The shop is run by our shop manager Sue, and a dedicated, friendly team of volunteers, and we're always grateful for those who donate their time, drop off unused goods, or simply pop in to find something special. Back in June, we proudly celebrated National Volunteers' Day with a meal to honour over 20 of our incredible volunteers - including Olive, who started the shop and continues to inspire us all at the age of 90. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support us, the shop is a great place to start. Come and visit us on Lancing High Street. Find out more here
We’re excited to be developing a new programme launching early next year, focused on helping young people explore how to use technology well, stay safe online, and build healthier digital habits. The sessions are designed not to lecture or restrict, but to open up honest conversations about how young people engage with phones, gaming, apps, social media, and screens in everyday life. From escape rooms to journaling, creative media to outdoor sessions, the programme balances fun, reflection, and practical tools. Across six sessions, young people will: Reflect on their screen time and online behaviours Learn digital safety and wellbeing strategies Explore creative expression through digital tools Reconnect offline through outdoor "digital detox" experiences Train as Digital Ambassadors to share what they’ve learned with others Open up intergenerational dialogue in a final young person–parent session This work responds directly to what we’re hearing from young people, parents, and schools and the need for space to talk, learn, and take ownership over their digital lives, rather than being told what not to do. More details will be shared soon, but we’re proud to be co-creating this programme with our youth team and partners and building digital confidence, not just digital literacy.
As we continue to grow and respond to the increasing needs of young people in our community, we’re looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees and expand our network of Charity Patrons. If you’re passionate about youth work, community collaboration, and making a real difference - we’d love to hear from you. We’re especially keen to connect with individuals who bring: Experience in governance, education, health, youth services, or fundraising A willingness to use your skills and voice to help us grow and reach more young people An understanding of the challenges facing young people and a commitment to community-led solutions Help guide and champion our work This is a brilliant opportunity to help shape the future of a trusted youth charity that’s been serving the community for over 18 years and ensure young people continue to have the support, voice, and opportunities they deserve. To find out more or arrange an informal conversation, please get in touch at karen@electricstormyouth.co.uk
Fun, Learning, and Time Out!
This summer has been one of the busiest and most rewarding we’ve had at Electric Storm Youth. As CEO, I’ve had the privilege of watching our team, volunteers, and young people come together through an incredible mix of activities, workshops, and community events. What Stood Out When I look back over the past six weeks, what stands out isn’t just the numbers, the sessions delivered, or the young people attending, but the atmosphere. Young people building new friendships and trying new things, parents telling how amazed at the range of activities and how they felt supported, and our team working flat out to make sure every activity ran smoothly. Running a holiday programme isn’t easy, it takes planning, coordination, and a lot of energy. But what I’ve seen this summer is the real difference it makes: fewer young people isolated at home, more of them engaged in positive activities, and families knowing their children are safe, supported, and learning. Why It Matters This reflects something bigger than just a “summer schedule.” It shows why youth services matter. At a time when many families are stretched and statutory services have been cut back, spaces like ours are not a luxury, they’re essential. We’re not just filling time; we’re giving young people a sense of belonging, resilience, and skills that carry forward into school and life. This summer, we delivered a range of activities from; Beach days (yes, I even braved shorts and a football match – no Premier League scouts came calling!) The Hunt with maps, clues, and plenty of teamwork Days out on the train to explore somewhere new Our own take on Bake Off And our annual Skate Jam, which brought over 100 people together But here’s the thing: it was never just about the activities. Youth work is about what happens in between the friendships made, the confidence built, the young people who told us we’d helped get them out of their bedrooms, off their phones, and into something new. That’s the real impact. And this is happening against a backdrop where local youth services have been cut by over 70% nationally . That makes what we do not just valuable, but essential. And it’s not only programmes that make this possible. This summer, our charity shop recorded a record-breaking sale day – every pound raised going straight back into our youth work delivery. It’s an important reminder that every donation, every purchase, and every bit of support supports the work we do with young people. Moving Forward None of this happens without support. Funding and partnerships are what allow us to keep showing up, week after week, summer after summer. I’m so thankful for the backing we’ve had – because it means we can keep delivering the kind of youth work that genuinely changes lives. As we head into the new term, I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved, but I’m also reminded how vital ongoing support is. Whether it comes through donations, fundraising, partnerships, or even shopping with us, it all makes a difference. To every parent, partner organisation, supporter, and young person who has been part of this summer – thank you! Karen Jefford, CEO Electric Storm Youth
