Historic Goldsmiths’ Hall hosts High Sheriffs’ AGM

The historic Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London made a splendid backdrop to the annual general meeting of the High Sheriffs’ Association as it celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Last year, the HSA held the AGM online. But this year, 220 High Sheriffs from England and Wales and their consorts, including Dr Llewelyn and her husband, were able to attend the AGM and lunch in person.

The consorts, including Dr Llewelyn’s husband, enjoyed a talk about the global role of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the City’s 12 famous livery companies, and its history. They discovered that the word ‘hallmark’ comes from gold being stamped with the crowned leopard’s head at the assay office in the Hall in 1478.

At the AGM lunch, the High Sheriffs were read a letter from the Queen. Her Majesty said she recognised the value of their role and thanked them for their work. Then Dr Llewelyn took the opportunity to meet as many fellow High Sheriffs as she could.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was great to share notes on how our year is going. I shared the digital system we have devised to post on this website and social media, which the High Sheriffs I met were all interested in hearing about.”

High Sheriff awards family and community projects in Stanwell

Stanwell Family Centre was in full swing when Dr Llewelyn arrived for a packed programme, starting with a tour of the building where health visitors were doing 27-month baby health checks.

The Family Centre’s manager, Janette Breese, guided the High Sheriff at the start of her visit, explaining that Surrey Care Trust runs the centre in partnership with Surrey County Council.

Dr Llewelyn said: “There is an excellent range of statutory services and those provided by the charitable sector all operating side-by-side, which is beneficial for the local community.

“Families can benefit from how the partners all work together through all sorts of activities, such as a social club for 5-12 year-olds with autism, counselling services, a sensory room, free legal advice clinics, speech and language therapy. There is also an outreach team helping about 20 families with complex needs.”

Dr Llewelyn presented well-earned certificates to parents who had completed a parenting course called 123 Magic and a woman who had completed the Freedom course and worked especially hard to turn her life around.

In addition, Dr Llewelyn toured the community allotment run by the Local Conversation in Stanwell project. The centre works closely with the initiative, which Monica Runke manages and the Trust oversees.

Monica showed the High Sheriff where they grow produce and a section dedicated to families to relax after working in the allotment and watch the children in a safe play area. On the day of her visit, there was a lot of joyful muddy play, supervised by parents and carers enjoying a cup of tea.

Dr Llewelyn gave a High Sheriff award to the project for its outstanding contribution to the local community. The volunteers also gave her lovely fresh produce, including eggs from their hens, and a hand-painted stone saying ‘Bee happy’.

She said: “it was a hugely enjoyable day and a great privilege to spend the morning with such inspirational people doing so much for their communities.”

High Sheriff admires exceptional care at Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice

Dr Llewelyn welcomed the opportunity to chat with the staff at the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham and learn more about the fantastic services they provide.

As an NHS hospital doctor, the High Sheriff was particularly interested in the medical care received by patients living with an advanced or terminal illness. But she was also struck by the sheer range of therapies, counselling and pastoral care provided at this welcoming hospice.

Phyllis Tuckwell is the only hospice care service across West Surrey and part of northeast Hampshire for adults living with cancer or another advanced or terminal illness and those closest to them. It gives patients the chance to remain independent and improve their quality of life through all stages of their disease.

Dr Llewelyn thanked chief executive Sarah Church and chair Dr David Eyre-Brook who guided her round for the incredible work that they and their teams do.

She also met inpatient services manager Jackie Johnson, community services manager Catherine vant Riet, medical director Cate Seton Jones, Living Well sister Rachel Copes, clinical nurse specialist Louise Dallain, and director of patient services Jayne Holland.

The hospice also offers bereavement counselling, which many people – young and old – find very helpful following the loss of a loved one.

Sarah Church (side on), Complimentary Therapy Team Lead Angie Shepherd, Rachel Copes, and Dr Llewelyn visit the Dove Lounge.

Royal visit supports Changing Perceptions

UN Climate Conference COP26 was the ideal context for a visit by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the High Sheriff to a community café and workshop on Godalming High Street that is doing its bit for the environment by upcycling old furniture.

Changing Perceptions is a social enterprise run by the Meath Epilepsy Charity, which supports people challenged by complex epilepsy and associated disabilities. It brings together volunteers, staff and those they support to upcycle and repurpose donated wooden furniture items then sold in Changing Perceptions’ showroom.

During the royal visit, the Countess of Wessex and Dr Llewelyn visited the excellent café. They chatted to the charity’s residents, their carers, staff and patrons before trying their hand at furniture upcycling.

Dr Llewelyn said: “Changing Perceptions has also increased local knowledge about Meath and the wonderful work it does to enhance the lives of those with epilepsy and its associated disabilities. The coffee and cake are delicious, and I strongly recommend the café to all residents.”

Return visit to reward Holy Cross Hospital

Dr Llewelyn was pleased to present an award to Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere for its highly specialised services for patients who are severely disabled.

She presented the award to Charles and Adam, who oversee all kinds of creative and art activities and even take the time to take patients to their hospital outpatient appointments. They gave Dr Llewelyn a wonderful calendar of art works done by the patients under their creative guidance.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It’s clear that both staff and patients value them hugely. Indeed, all the staff go ‘above and beyond’ every day to provide excellent care for their patients, not only clinical care but also a wide range of other activities.”

CEO Ross White hosted the High Sheriff’s visit to the hospital founded in 1917 as a tuberculosis sanitorium by the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross.

Today, many NHS hospitals refer patients with severe neuro-disabilities and complex needs to Holy Cross, where they receive treatment.

It’s the second time that Dr Llewelyn has had the pleasure of visiting Holy Cross Hospital. She formerly opened its wheelchair-accessible treehouse retreat in August.

Remembering people of Barbadian heritage who died of Covid

The High Sheriff was honoured to be invited to the National Council of Barbadian Associations’ memorial service to commemorate members of the Barbadian diaspora who died from Covid-19.

Dr Llewelyn attended the service at Guildford Cathedral along with the Lord-Lieutenant Michael More-Molyneux, his wife Sarah, the Archbishop of Guildford, Dean of Guildford Cathedral, the Rev Canon Gilly Myers and the Rev Charles Morris, Barbados Deputy High Commissioner to the UK.

Rev Beverley Hunt, Chaplain to the High Sheriff, was instrumental in putting together the service and gave the Reflection. Many of the congregation, who came from across the country, lit a candle in memory of those who died during the pandemic and were uplifted by the singing of the Bajan Voices Choir led by Cedric Lynch.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was a wonderful service and a very fitting tribute. Afterwards all the guests chatted over an excellent tea in the Seasons Cafe where I enjoyed talking to everyone.”

Training at HMP Bronzefield impresses High Sheriff

A tour of the adult and young offender female prison HMP Bronzefield in Ashford gave Dr Llewelyn a positive impression of its wide-ranging rehabilitation and educational facilities.

The prison provides English and maths tuition, skills training and employment opportunities. Inmates can focus their energies on running a call centre, learn hairdressing in a fully functioning hair and beauty salon, or train as baristas in the café where the High Sheriff enjoyed a delicious latte.

Acting governor Vicky Robinson told the High Sheriff that the purpose-built facility houses a wide range of female offenders, from those serving short sentences to those in prison long-term for serious crimes.

She then introduced Dr Llewelyn to four inmates, one of whom was doing an Open University degree, who told her about what they had learned and their aspirations.

Dr Llewelyn said: “They  were positive about their training. And although all the women in prison had had a difficult time during Covid, they were pleased they were moving through that and could now see visitors.”

High Sheriff hears how young people benefit from Change of Scene

Change of Scene helps young marginalised people struggling with school attendance, Chief Executive Pam Robinson explained to Dr Llewelyn during her visit to the charity’s smallholding in Rowledge, Farnham.

The high sheriff heard that young people learn through spending time with the Change of Scene team on the charity’s farm. Their impactful outdoor experiences include planning and building a pond or bench and repairing items around the site.

Change of Scene has an 80% success rate at getting children back into education. It provides 27 sessions a week, with 13 of those used by young people who have no school place. Youngsters who are permanently excluded from school attend two sessions, and the remaining 11 are either on temporary exclusions or their placement is still being planned.

The young people are encouraged to interact with and take responsibility for various animals, including feeding and cleaning them. However, Pam said that not all young people want to engage with the fluffier animals. So, they include a snake and rats among the species.

During her visit, Dr Llewelyn also learned that Change of Scene is looking for a new site. If you can help, please get in touch. It is also a finalist in the Persimmons Homes – Building Futures competition, which has a top prize of £100,000 that would make the charity safe for the next couple of years. Here’s the link to vote by 19 November.

Pictured: Llamas and alpacas like Fleur and Nutmeg are among the animals young people work with, while Meringue the goat is noted for his fleece nibbling!

Pictured: Llamas and alpacas like Fleur and Nutmeg are among the animals young people work with, while Meringue the goat is noted for his fleece nibbling!

Seeing Guildford Family Centre’s excellent family support first-hand

Families with multiple needs receive incredible support from the Guildford Family Centre, as Dr Llewelyn learned during her visit.

Charlotte Bate, Manager of Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre, explained how the centre works closely with local children and their families who often have complex needs. The centre’s family support workers and social workers do one-to-one work with the children and meet regularly with their families.

The centre is currently working with more than 80 families to build ‘a team around the family’. It is also linking with schools to make sure that the children involved can stay in the education best suited to them – a perfect example of ‘Every child included’ in action. 

An evening of recognition for Surrey’s firefighters

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s Annual Awards and Commendations ceremony is a highlight in the calendar and recognises the hard work and long-standing commitments of its people and those who help them.

Dr Llewelyn attended with the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux, SCC Chair Helyn Clack and Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Mark Nuti.

During the evening, friends and families joined the event in the Woldingham School auditoriium as each proud recipient came onto the stage to receive their awards and long service medals.

The high sheriff spoke about the Fire and Rescue Service’s special place in our hearts, as we know they are always there for us 24/7, come what may.

She said: “There were stories of long service, hard work, loyalty and bravery and it was truly an evening of recognition and celebration for the wonderful Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.”