Supporting Young Minds in a Digital World

July 1, 2025

On the 25th June our CEO Karen Jefford CMgr FCMI and Youth Worker Jonathan Woodbridge attended an important event at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy (SRWA), delivered by Dr. Felicity Williams, a clinical psychologist who shared powerful insights into the impact of digital technology on young people's mental health and development.


With SRWA leading the way as the first school in West Sussex to totally ban mobile phones during the school day from this September, we’re proud to stand alongside them in championing the wellbeing of young people in our community. This bold step reflects a growing awareness that we must protect and nurture young minds, not only academically but emotionally and psychologically.


At Electric Storm Youth, we’ve recently recruited a dedicated Youth Worker to focus specifically on digital wellbeing, supporting young people in understanding and navigating their relationship with technology, social media, and screen time in a safe, healthy, and positive way.


A Complex Picture

We live in a time of rapid technological change. Today, content and influence are available 24/7; there's no longer a “watershed” to protect young eyes and minds. For children and teens, whose brains are still developing (particularly between the ages of 10 and 27), this always-on digital culture can have a huge impact.

Dr. Williams highlighted how smartphones and social media have become key drivers of behaviour change and mental health challenges. While social media can foster connection and creativity, it can also expose young people to unrealistic expectations, online bullying, and a growing pressure to be "always available." Passive digital activity spending five or more hours a day on screens unrelated to learning is often replacing vital activities like outdoor play, social interaction, and restful sleep.

We also heard how the teenage brain is wired to seek excitement but increasingly, the “thrill” comes from games or social media, not real-world exploration and risk-taking. Free play, challenge, and physical interaction are essential for developing emotional resilience and cognitive growth.


Our Commitment

As a youth charity, we are not here to criticise or control young people’s digital lives, we are here to empower them. Our goal is to help young people develop a healthier relationship with technology, one that prioritises long-term wellbeing, emotional strength, and real-world connection.

We’re putting strategies and support in place, including:

· Workshops and group sessions on the impact of social media, screen time, and cyberbullying.

· 1-to-1 support for young people experiencing anxiety or stress linked to digital use.

· Collaborative initiatives with schools, parents, and professionals to create safer digital environments.

· Opportunities for free play, creativity, and real adventures that bring joy, growth, and self-confidence.


The move by SRWA to ban phones during the school day is a vital piece of the puzzle, and we’re proud to support this step towards creating more mindful, focused, and mentally healthy school communities.


Together, we can help young people balance the digital and the real so that technology becomes a tool for thriving, not surviving

Do young people really have it easier than we did?

February 5, 2026
A blog from our CEO. Karen Jefford

Thank you to our supporters!

January 22, 2026
None of what we achieve would be possible without the incredible support of local businesses, funders, and community partners . Many have chosen us as their Charity of the Year, while others have shared time, skills, and resources so generously. We’re also strengthening our trustee board and beginning to build a consortium of patrons who can help champion our work, extend our reach, and support our long-term sustainability. With thanks to: Businesses & Community Partners Thales & U3E – donation of bikes Co-op Lancing – weekly food donations and gingerbread houses for our Christmas event Co-op Sompting - weekly food donations Lancing Bowls Club – Charity of the Year Louisa Moxey Limited – voluntary photography Beehive Care Lancing – collaborative working AVA - collaborative working John Dale Estate Agent - Contributions towards our Summer Skate Jam and Young Carers Worthing Theatres - complimentary tickets Funders & Trusts Ernest Hecht Charitable Foundation Chalk Cliff Trust National Lottery Lancing Parish Council  Individuals & Champions MP Tom Rutland – judge and continued support of our work

Bringing impact to life

January 22, 2026
Over the final months of the year, this impact was felt in very tangible ways. Through funded support, we were able to take young carers out for a well-earned restaurant visit , offering space to relax, feel valued, and simply enjoy being young. Thanks to the generous donation of bikes from O3E and Thales, our team has been able to be more visible and accessible within the community, spending more time out and about on local streets and connecting with young people where they are. We also gifted bikes to young people, helping them travel to school more easily and making everyday transport more achievable and independent. For some, these opportunities helped remove barriers and open up new possibilities. Our Friday drop-in continues to be a highlight of the week, full of laughter, friendship, and belonging. Demand for this support is growing, and as a result, we’re actively exploring how we can expand and add further services to meet the needs we’re seeing. From January we’re proud to be working alongside Andy’s Angels as their dedicated youth partner, supporting their Sunday grief cafés and strengthening local support for young people experiencing loss. We’re also seeing increasing demand for early, preventative support , as young people and families navigate growing pressures at home, in school, and online. Our close work with schools and partners helps ensure young people can access the right support at the right time. 

Introducing Our New Trustee: Strategic Expertise Meets Personal Passion for Youth Wellbeing

December 12, 2025
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Laurence Davies to the Electric Storm Youth Board of Trustees!

Electric Storm Youth and Andy's Angels Collaborate on Crucial Youth Grief Project

December 11, 2025
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.

A Heartfelt Thank You: Lancing College's Annual Gift of Kindness for Our Young Carers!

December 5, 2025
Electric Storm Youth (ESY) today extended their deepest thanks after receiving an overwhelming donation of 31 gift bags for the Young Carers they support.

Riding the Storms and Seeing the Rainbow

October 30, 2025
CEO Karen Jefford's October Blog

Get voting for us in your local Tesco!

By Ian Tout • October 10, 2025
We Need Your Vote! Help Us Win a Share of Tesco’s Stronger Starts Fund.

More Than a Shop!

By Ian Tout • September 12, 2025
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

Coming Soon: Digital Compass for a Digital Age

By Ian Tout • September 12, 2025
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.