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When you ask Jackie De Almeida, Team Leader at Jersey Youth Service (JYS), what a typical day looks like, she laughs. “If two days look the same, something’s probably gone wrong.” After 14 years in youth work – and two in her leadership role – she knows unpredictability isn’t a hurdle; it’s part of what makes the job meaningful.
Jackie’s journey into youth work began long before she joined the service. As a young person attending her local youth project, she found connection, confidence and opportunities that didn’t always exist for her in school. The classroom wasn’t where she thrived, but youth projects offered spaces where she felt seen, where her ideas mattered, and where she could take on leadership roles and support her peers.
Those experiences shaped her path. She began volunteering, then moved into trainee and senior youth worker roles before joining the leadership team. Youth work helped her see her own potential, and she now works to offer the same opportunities to young people across Jersey. Today she manages senior youth workers, supports participation initiatives, contributes to working groups and plays a key part in recruitment. Outside work, she’s most often found on a sports pitch.
Her day to day work is hugely varied. Jackie starts each week with a clear plan – though it rarely survives intact. Her days blend face to face sessions, online meetings, planning, preparing data, consulting with colleagues and supporting families. She delivers to audiences ranging from parents to politicians, often making decisions in emotionally charged or fastmoving situations. “Flexibility is key,” she says. “Community needs evolve in real time.”
Despite the pace, youth work is rooted in human connection. “That’s why most of us join youth work,” Jackie explains. Building relationships and being a consistent, trusted presence is what changes young people’s lives. While the public sees the lively, energetic sessions, they rarely see the vital administrative work behind it – logs, referrals, safeguarding records and support plans. Jackie and the leadership team absorb much of this so frontline youth workers can stay focused on supporting young people directly.
Youth work has shaped Jackie personally as much as professionally. JYS fosters what she calls a “learning ground” culture, where every challenge becomes a chance to improve. Having progressed through almost every role in the service, she brings a deep understanding of the pressures at each level. “Youth work has become a moral compass for me,” she says. Authenticity, accountability and being a role model are values she carries into every part of her life. To stay grounded, she spends time outdoors or playing sport.
Her role has produced standout achievements. One proud moment was leading youth project recruitment in 2025. With vacancies high, staffing was difficult, so Jackie redesigned the recruitment process, targeted new audiences and developed clearer pathways into youth work. Seeing new staff thrive in their roles has been “a genuine privilege”. She also helped unite the East and West youth teams, creating a collaborative and creative collective.
A major highlight this year was Youth Work Week, celebrating 80 years of youth work in Jersey. Each project received funding to create its own participation awards, co-designed entirely by young people. By the end of the week, they had celebrated 174 Bronze, 46 Silver and 42 Gold award winners across the Island. Some projects added DJs, photographers and red carpets. “Everywhere I went, there were smiles, creativity and pride,” Jackie says. “It reminded me exactly why youth work matters.”
Leadership brings challenges too. Technology moves quickly, and helping teams stay confident in new digital spaces is ongoing work. Recruitment of both staff and volunteers takes persistence and creativity. And supporting young people through complex emotional journeys can be demanding. “The journey is different for everyone,” she says. “It can be challenging, but it’s also at the heart of why youth work matters.”
What motivates Jackie most is simple: people. Her colleagues, who inspire her daily; the young people, who challenge and teach her; and the community that supported her as a teenager – the same community she now serves. “I’m a product of the service’s success,” she says. “Watching youth workers in action reminds me why I started, and why I still love what I do.”
For Jackie, public service is more than a career – it’s a commitment. “If you care about where you live, this is work that truly shapes lives.”
