At Esteem any young person can belong and make a positive difference, no matter what challenges they face.
Young people aged 14-26 can realise their strength to cope with life’s challenges and thrive into their futures.
Our community is grounded in trust and respect, and built with young people for young people.
We run a transformational range of free sessions from our centre in Shoreham.
We currently support over 200 young adults annually. Our offer is holistic, wrap-around and importantly, it’s not time-limited.
Young people can connect through our group activities: getting active, exploring their creativity, spending time in nature, and enjoying regular healthy meals.
They can access the 1-2-1 support that suits them, whether that’s through free professional counselling, a walk-and-talk wellbeing session, support to re-engage with their community, or tailored employment advice.
What does the opportunity involve doing?
Session Support Volunteers join the team at a regular Esteem session and help it run well. You will always work alongside Esteem staff, who lead each session, and you will support them and follow their direction. Over time, you will become a familiar, friendly face that young adults know they can count on.
What you will do
Join the team brief before each session and the debrief afterwards
Welcome young adults and help create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere
Take part in activities alongside young adults and support them to get involved
We will link our volunteers to a regular weekly or bi-monthly session, and ask them to commit to covering it for at least six months.
Our regular sessions include:
Drop-In (Ages 18 - 26) Monday’s 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Esteem Team (Ages 18-26) Every Monday 3:30-5:30pm
Esteem Team (Ages 14-17) Every Tuesday 4:00-5:30pm
WYDW? (What you doing Wednesday?) - (Ages 14 - 17) Wednesday’s 4pm - 6.30pm
Drop-In (Ages 18 - 26) Wednesday’s 6pm - 8.30pm
Crunch Time - (Ages 14 - 17) Fridays 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Creative Club - (Ages 14-17) Every other Thursday 4.30-7.30pm
Plus around 30 minutes before and after for the team brief and debrief. We ask volunteers to attend the same session regularly for at least six months.
There may also be opportunities to help out at other sessions on an ad hoc basis. Alongside our regular sessions these include our Holiday Activities and Food Programme, “Learn To” Physical Activities Programme, and Young Men's or Young Women’s group
What induction, training and support is offered?
Support and Development – We want our volunteers to feel confident, supported and part of the Esteem team. All volunteers receive an induction and relevant training, including safeguarding and an introduction to Esteem’s youth-led approach. You’ll receive ongoing support from our staff team through regular briefings and debriefs, as well as the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of youth work within a participatory, youth-led charity. Most importantly, you’ll be joining a supportive, values-driven team where your contribution is valued and you can develop your skills, experience and understanding along the way.
What skills or qualities are needed?
What we are looking for
Responsive: you notice what is happening in the room and adapt, taking direction from the session lead
Calm and approachable: young adults feel at ease around you
Strengths-based: you notice what young adults are good at and help them build on it
Reflective: you think about how sessions went, including your own part, and welcome feedback
Reliable and communicative: you attend consistently and let the session lead know in good time if you cannot make it
Experience of working with young adults is welcome but not required.
More infoDate added
7th October 2026
Organisation
Location
The Old School House, Ham Road, Shoreham by Sea
Deadline for applications
2 Nov 2026
Categories
Young people
Activities
Other activities Volunteering as part of a team
Disabled access?
No
Expenses paid?
Yes
Childcare available?
No
Contact name
Rachel Colbourne
Email address
hr@esteem.org.uk
