Men in Sheds visit is a ‘cut above’

Dr Llewelyn visited the well-equipped ex-garage at the Woodhouse Centre during her visit and was struck by the obvious friendships developed in Men in Sheds.

The centre was early to realise the potential of the national Men in Sheds movement in helping to combat loneliness and isolation in older people.

So, the garage is both a meeting place and a workspace where men and women can share skills, learn, and work on hobbies and projects.

Dr Llewelyn said: “They mend furniture and make a range of products to sell including their beautiful handmade bee and bug houses which are very popular. I had a go on the electric saw and discovered first-hand the challenges of producing wood that’s cut to very precise measurements for their work. It was a really uplifting visit. “

YES, young people can achieve!

The High Sheriff was delighted to attend a graduation ceremony for young people who had completed a five-day Youth Engagement Scheme (YES) training course.

Surrey Youth Support Service and Surrey Police deliver the acclaimed scheme in partnership. It encourages 11 to 16-year-olds with low self-esteem and confidence and at risk of school exclusion to re-engage in society and find a purpose.

The graduation ceremony took place at Leatherhead Fire Station in front of around 30 people, including the young people who had participated in the course, family members, staff from Fire and Rescue and Surrey County Council, and external supporters.

The compact YES programme includes rescue drills, which the youngsters demonstrated on graduation day before receiving their certificates from Mark Taylor, the senior officer at Surrey Fire and Rescue.

Having thanked the Fire and Rescue team, Dr Llewelyn told the graduates how impressed she was with their drills and congratulated them on completing a challenging course with such enthusiasm and learning so much in such a short time. 

Learning about Surrey Police youth engagement

Dr Llewelyn passionate goal to reduce the risk of children’s permanent school exclusion in Surrey prompted a return visit to Spelthorne Borough Council in Knowle Green.

In December 2021, the High Sheriff was impressed by the young people who’d reached the finals of the Triumph over Adversity category in the Spelthorne Youth Awards.

This time, she met chief executive Daniel Mouawad who introduced her to Surrey Police youth engagement officer Caroline Barnes who is part of the Waverley team.

Caroline told Dr Llewelyn about police initiatives to build trust and confidence, give young people a voice, prevent harm, steer them away from the criminal justice system, and keep up to date with the youth community.

The Fordway Centre – A a short stay school and centre of excellence

Dr Llewelyn’s passionate goal to reduce the risk of children’s permanent school exclusion in Surrey prompted a return visit to the Fordway Centre in Staines.

The school has an outstanding rating and helps primary pupils struggling in mainstream education.

The staff work with each individual to work out their needs and then provide a range of support. They have excellent results, especially if they work with children before the difficulties in mainstream education become too severe.

Dr Llewelyn said: “I was impressed by all I saw at the Fordway Centre. They certainly go the extra mile to ensure every child receives the best possible education. They even have Gizmo, the fabulously well-behaved school dog!”

Christopher’s hospice makes an impression

The outstanding care provided to children with life-limited conditions and the quality of the facilities at Christopher’s hospice in Guildford left a lasting impression on Dr Llewelyn following her visit.

Christopher’s hospice is one of two purpose-built children’s hospices that the charity Shooting Star Children’s Hospices (SSCH) runs in Surrey. It supports and cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and provides various counselling, therapies and support groups for family members.

Refurbished in 2017, Christopher’s includes nine children’s bedrooms, five family flats, a sensory room, hydrotherapy pool, arts and crafts room, cinema room, sensory garden, den for teenagers and a soft play area.

SSCH CEO Paul Farthing hosted the High Sheriff’s tour, where she met the care team and some of the children and young people and learned about the services SSCH provides and its plans.

Dr Llewelyn said: “I was impressed to hear the hospice’s plans, which include increasing their level of community-based support for children and their families with life-limiting conditions.”

Find out more and get involved.

Guildford Police team take High Sheriff on patrol

An evening on patrol with Guildford Police gave Dr Llewelyn the chance to observe the role of a response officer in Surrey Police first-hand.

The High Sheriff toured the new cell block and met several of the night shift teams at the police station before she joined the response officer. She witnessed how the force manages suspected criminal activity daily.

Dr Llewelyn learned about many of the challenges that the pandemic has caused for Surrey Police, including the unfortunate increase in domestic violence in the county.

School chooses pastoral officer for a High Sheriff’s Award

25 January 2022

North East Surrey Short Stay School (NESSS) chose Niki Razey, leader of engagement and pastoral care, for a High Sheriff’s Award for her superb work supporting pupils at the school.

The High Sheriff, Dr Llewelyn, was delighted to present the award to Niki. She also found out more about the work headteacher Nick Elliott and staff are doing with young people and Spelthorne schools to try and prevent permanent exclusion.

Dr Llewelyn also spoke to several students and youth engagement officer PC Roy Egarr who visits schools to engage and build relationships with pupils.

To learn more about the many ways in which the police support young people in the community, Dr Llewelyn left NESSS to visit Staines Police Station. She met Inspector Maxine Cilia and other members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, who updated her on their current projects.

Later in the afternoon, officers took Dr Llewelyn on a walk around Staines town to discuss recent youth-related issues.

Dr Llewelyn said: “It was really humbling to see the work being done by teachers and the police force to help the young people of Staines.”

Bulldog spirit strengthens Skillway

The High Sheriff visited Skillway in Godalming to thank the dedicated volunteers and staff for their tireless efforts in the face of recent challenges.

During her visit, Dr Llewelyn looked around the craft workshops and met some of the students learning such practical skills as stonework, carpentry and joinery.

She learned how everyone at Skillway had pressed on despite Covid-19 measures to continue helping Surrey’s disadvantaged and disengaged young people find “optimism, calm and fulfilment” while learning to use their hands.

As an NHS doctor, the High Sheriff is acutely aware of the complexities organisations have had to navigate due to Covid-19 and was particularly impressed that staff and volunteers at Skillway had kept going despite everything.

Ockford Ridge project benefits make an impression

A walking tour of the Ockford Ridge refurbishment and redevelopment project in Godalming has provided the High Sheriff with a fascinating insight into the scheme’s benefits for local people.

Waverley Borough Council Housing development manager Louisa Blundell and head of housing delivery and communities Andrew Smith showed Dr Llewelyn one of the phases under construction. She also met the site workers and manager, who explained the extensive and successful regeneration work undertaken on the estate.

Dr Llewelyn said: “I was most impressed by the style and quality of the new housing in this large-scale regeneration project, which will certainly benefit the local community.”

Let’s Create Jubilee Fund opens in January

If your voluntary or community organisation has charitable aims, the ‘Let’s Create’ Queen’s Jubilee Fund, recently launched by the Community Foundation for Surrey, opens on 4 January 2022.

Let’s Create supports voluntary and community groups in developing creative and cultural activities in Surrey for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for successful applicants who must focus on creative and cultural activities, such as music, theatre and visual arts, and partner with an artist, creative or cultural organisation to deliver the project.

Dr Llewelyn, the vice-chair of the Foundation, recommends submitting applications when they open on this page on 4 January 2022, although you have until 28 February 2022 to apply.

Visit the Community Foundation for Surrey.