2 Jul 2025 | Alex Mahoney
After more than 17 incredible years as Esteem’s Chief Officer, I’ve made the decision to step aside from this role at the end of August this year.
I am so proud of everything Esteem has accomplished. With a phenomenal team of 16 dedicated and experienced staff, we’ve supported thousands of young people over the years, alongside countless community members and partner organisations. Together, we’ve evolved something truly special, an organisation that is thriving, resilient, and deeply impactful.
Esteem was built on foundations of inclusivity and valuing young people’s strengths. Our first paid member of staff was a young person (even before I was able to draw a salary!), through the apprenticeship scheme back in the early 2000’s; and The Esteem Team began life as the Youth Management Team who were a dedicated group of young volunteers making decisions that shaped our future. I’m happy to say that we’re still in contact with many of these, who are now thriving adults today.
Esteem was founded by my Mum, Val Vizor, in response to seeing children she fostered who drop off a cliff edge of support when they turn eighteen; the ‘family feeling’ young adults talk about today remains embedded in our ethos. This togetherness is what makes Esteem unique – seeing people’s strengths and creating opportunities to develop ideas, skills, friends, and so much more! We have evolved through the power of community, and doing things together. Because of this, I can step back knowing our organisation is in a great place – with our wonderful staff team, our brilliant volunteers and of course all the fantastic young adults, who make Esteem Esteemy.
Some key turning points have enabled our continued success over the years; starting with Adur Voluntary Action’s wonderful CO, the late Adrian Barret, who put his trust in us by providing a free desk space in The Old School House back in 2016, and then working together with myself and Rachel Batten, our consultant and friend, to secure our first National Lottery Grant in 2017. Since then we have raised over £2.2m, and working with hundreds of young adults, and we’re gaining momentum as Esteem works towards our ambitious capital campaign to secure our home, the Old School House. It’s now time to hand over the reins and make space for fresh energy and ideas while keeping our ethos and values at the heart of everything we do.
While stepping down is a big step, it feels like the right time for Esteem, and for me. I have learnt so much in my time as leader of Esteem. I learnt the hard way, that my way is not always the best way; that I can’t be all things to all people – I was good at pulling in the right people for the job though, and I can’t express enough how fantastic each of them are; recognising when I’m wrong and being brave enough to share and evolve together.
Knowing myself and that I can trust the process and bow out gracefully, recognising that Esteem will benefit from different skills and experience to mine. Taking over Esteem from my Mum had its own pressures, among the many other challenges of running a small charity, and two years on from her passing away, and after some good processing and journaling, I feel able to allow myself space too – to slow down, travel, and achieve in a different way.
Thank you to our amazing senior leadership team for being the real leaders of Esteem; to trustees past and present who trusted me every time I said “don’t worry, it will be alright”; to our brilliant youth work team who are directly making positive change every day; to the Central team – the essential cogs that keep Esteem turning; mentors who are that trusted person that makes a difference; to all the young adults who are Esteem’s heart and soul – thank you all for being part of my journey with Esteem , and for your support, kindness and wisdom – here’s to an exciting future for us all!
Best wishes,
Cat Vizor
Co-Founder of Esteem