A CHARITY has launched an urgent appeal to find a new home after leaving its former base.
Esteem has been based at The Old School House in Shoreham for six years.
But it said it is now on the lookout for a new home as the building is no longer available on a long-term basis.
Despite the setback, it said it is looking for a new home in Shoreham to continue providing volunteering and mentoring opportunities for 14–26-year-olds.
Cat Vizor, chief Officer at Esteem, said its volunteers have been instrumental in determining what the charity would like from its new centre.
She said: "Young adults have told us they’d like the building to be somewhere friendly and welcoming with a large indoor space.
“Ideally, we are looking for premises which can accommodate a larger room for group activities and training, plus office space, smaller rooms for counselling and mentoring, and a kitchen and dining area.
“At ESTEEM we’re all about community and enabling young adults to thrive, so it’s really important we find the right space.
“We are flexible, so it could be we’ll have to spread across more than one building, and we’re open to shop fronts, cafes and creative spaces.
“The main thing is that we find somewhere local and large enough for us to run activities from safely during the pandemic.”
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The charity is “working hard” to provide a safe space for young adults, and is requesting help and ideas from the community.
Phil, who takes part in Esteems volunteer work project, said the charity has helped him to develop his prospects.
He said: “Esteem offers things that you don’t get in the local area, the kind of life stuff that you don't learn in school.
“It's hard to make that step from education to adulthood. ESTEEM creates that step and gives you the opportunities and support and space to meet people and that's really important.”
If you know of a possible new home for ESTEEM, you can get in touch with them directly by contacting newhome@esteem.org.uk or calling 07760395085
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