Suzanne and I were invited to attend the Memorial Day at the American Cemetery at Brookwood. The Lord Lieutenant gave one of the tribute readings as did the newly appointed US Ambassador to the UK, Warren A Stephens. Current Military personal, veterans and relatives of those who gave their lives were in attendance and wreathes were laid by representatives of the many countries and organisations participating in the commemoration event.
My two police cadets, Grace and Imogen, were in attendance with other representatives from the Police.
You can learn more about the American Cemetery HERE
https://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Memorial-Day-American-Cemetery-2025-1.jpg8271102Andy Newboldhttps://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheHighSheriffofSurrey-weblogo.pngAndy Newbold2025-05-25 11:53:042025-05-27 12:04:56Memorial Day at The Brookwood American Cemetery
Suzanne and I joined the Lord Lieutenant at the official launch of their expanded 555 service aimed at helping the many children with complex needs that are falling through the gaps in the education system due to a lack of specialist school places or exclusions linked to their disability.
We heard brave personal stories from two mothers of the strain it puts on families which cannot get the support they need to enable their children to attend school. Challengers were described by them as “Angels” for the support they gave by welcoming their children and providing some respite for their families.
Sadly there are around 250 young people with additional needs in Surrey that are out of education currently as there are no suitable places for them.
Gen Dearman, her wonderful team and the board of trustees are indeed all angels and need more people to support them in providing a life-changing service that is so desperately needed.
https://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_0482.jpg426640Andy Newboldhttps://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheHighSheriffofSurrey-weblogo.pngAndy Newbold2025-05-24 17:25:002025-05-27 11:37:33Challengers – ‘Angels’ Helping Children with Complex Needs in Education.
I have always been a great supporter of local businesses getting involved with the community within which they are based and as Chair of Guildford Philanthropy we engaged with 44 local firms becoming our Corporate Ambassadors. I was therefore delighted to visit Stripey Stork in Reigate, a fantastic charity, which as a baby bank collects and redistributes baby and children’s items to families in Surrey and Croydon who are experiencing hardship, ensuring they have the essentials they need. Last year an opportunity arose for them to lease an adjoining building which would enable them to expand the help they can provide to the local community.
Helped by a National Lottery grant and the Community Foundation for Surrey, local businesses then made the project viable. Unum, based in Dorking agreed to cover the first year rent cost and Overbury completed the transformation of the warehouse in an amazing six weeks after assembling a team of skilled sub-contractors. As a result Stripey Stork already this year have helped 7,199 children. Suzanne and I enjoyed meeting the team of volunteers who help sort through the donations of goods received and make the bespoke packs that go to local families that need these essential supplies.
I had the privilege of cutting the ribbon at the new facility with Founder and CEO, Nicola Dawes, with all those that had helped make it happen there to see the result of a great collaboration between businesses and a local charity.
https://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Stripeystork-1.jpg11251500Andy Newboldhttps://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheHighSheriffofSurrey-weblogo.pngAndy Newbold2025-05-24 10:15:002025-05-27 11:38:17Stripey Stork – 7,199 Children Supported this Year so Far!
Suzanne and I visited a Construction Skills Classroom – part of SATRO’s Vocational Construction Skills programme which delivers practical, hands-on skills to small groups in mainstream, alternative provision, pupil referral units and special needs schools across Surrey and the surrounding counties. Their tutors, who have experience in the industry, teach, mentor and inspire young people in vocational construction and employability skills and increases their chances of progressing to further study or into work. The course is suitable for students interested in careers in the construction industry, those re-engaging in their education and for those learning independent living skills.
It was a very appropriate visit, hot on the heels of the Conference on Monday to address the NEET Crisis, and indeed SATRO are one of the organisations involved in the process. Suzanne and I were very impressed and encouraged by what we saw at the classroom, which was hosted at the Inclusive Education Trust in Leatherhead, and it was great to see first-hand an example of what was already being done to help young people to get on the right path for their future.
SATRO’s Chief Executive – Andrew Whitby-Collins said:
“We were delighted to welcome the High Sheriff to one of our Construction Skills classrooms today. The students proudly showed him their carpentry projects and talked about the skills they are developing.
“The High Sheriff’s theme for his year recognises the importance of building self-confidence and developing practical skills to open up more opportunities for young people and reduce the risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in Surrey. Our programme plays a key role in raising aspirations and helping students gain the experience and confidence they need to succeed.”
“We are very grateful to the High Sheriff for raising awareness of SATRO’s purpose and the importance of creating opportunities for young people.”
Following the publication of a report I commissioned at the beginning of my term as High Sheriff in March – ‘Unseen Surrey – An Exploratory Overview of the NEET Crisis’; a conference to discuss it’s findings and next steps took place yesterday at The University of Surrey.
‘Next Steps for NEET’s’ – focussed on bringing together the various groups working to reduce the number of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs), including representatives from local government, politicians, education and healthcare providers, police, charity and voluntary organisations and some past High Sheriffs, with a view to encouraging collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, data, experiences and ideas to hopefully provide a joined-up strategy to tackle the NEET issue going forward.
Keynote speeches were delivered by myself as High Sheriff, and Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, and the conference was expertly curated by the team at CBE Research (The Centre for Britain and Europe at the University of Surrey) who produced the report, led by Professor Amelia Hadfield.
After an initial review of the findings, the conference split into three breakout groups, guided by presenters, facilitators and rapporteurs to have a collective deep dive into specific topics, sharing current practices and frustrations and developing ideas for pilot studies and co-ordinated action going forward. I was greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and engagement in the rooms, and the desire to create a community of practice going forward to build on these discussions and encourage further collaboration.
A huge thank you to The University of Surrey for hosting the event and to everyone involved for their contributions.
‘Next Steps for NEET”s’ – Initiated by The High Sheriff of Surrey. Hosted by The University of Surrey and CBE Research
https://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Next-Steps-for-NEETS-Conference-2025-001-scaled.jpg13652048Andy Newboldhttps://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheHighSheriffofSurrey-weblogo.pngAndy Newbold2025-05-20 10:42:142025-05-20 11:21:47‘Next Steps for NEET’s’ Conference 2025
I was delighted to attend the Voluntary Police Cadet Attestation Ceremony on Saturday May 17th which was held at the University of Surrey. Suzanne and I heard from Helen Hartley, Head of Volunteering at Surrey Police, about the various activities the cadets had been involved in over the past year; which included action days with army cadets, time with the Police Rapid Response teams, Dog Teams, Air Ambulance, riot simulations, and testing shopkeepers adherence to the law on selling blades and alcohol to young people.
The cadets clearly enjoy their training and although many are considering a future career in the Police Force, it is not a requirement nor expected when the cadets join. The attestation is the cadets collectively reciting a declaration that they will attend meetings regularly, participate in unit activities, wear their uniform with pride, and advance their education and training to prepare themselves to be of service to their community.
I had the privilege of inspecting the cadets after they paraded and also addressing them before they collected their attestation certificates.
It is quite rare that you get to meet yourself when out and about!
I came across a drawing of myself, one of a set of drawings and painting created by the talented Nathalie Scott for her Faces of Guildford Exhibition; which are currently being exhibited in Jigsaw on Guildford High Street.
Nathalie is currently undertaking a huge mural on an outside wall in Chapel Street, which is looking amazing. Buy her a coffee if you are passing!
https://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Jigsaw-Pieces-of-Art-feat-image.jpg320480Andy Newboldhttps://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheHighSheriffofSurrey-weblogo.pngAndy Newbold2025-05-16 16:20:002025-05-20 19:35:15Jigsaw Pieces of Art – featuring Yours Truly!
I had the opportunity to view Catalyst’s offices in Woking on their Open Day.
They are the largest home-grown charity in Surrey. They work to promote the mental health and wellbeing of people in Surrey, improving lives in terms of stability and wellbeing, with the aim of reducing harm to themselves, their families and the community and now provide support across 26 different areas. Many of these areas were represented at the Open Day and Suzanne and I had the opportunity to discuss the wonderful work they do.
Suzanne and I enjoyed a most enlightening visit to Crimestoppers.
We visited their national headquarters and met with Mick Duthie, Glenys Balchin, Lee Tinson and Phil Jebb from the executive team together with the Chair of Crimestoppers, and volunteer, Dr Lynne Hack.It was a very illuminating visit. Crimestoppers is an independent charity, not affiliated with the Police with over 100 staff and 350 volunteers. They guarantee 100% anonymity to anyone who contacts them. 80% of approaches are now made on-line and 20% by phone call. They are open 24/7 every day and handled some 750,000 approaches last year, of which over 200,000 contained information that was passed on to the Police. Anonymity is achieved as no contact information is requested.
Glenys and Phil look after Surrey with 14 volunteers and hold regular community events to publicise the service. Crimestoppers has a separate service called Fearless which is aimed at 10-18 year olds which is more geared to providing useful information to young people, although it also allows them to provide information anonymously as well.Extensive training is given to all operators handling calls and on-line reports and their diligence, together with the proactive action of members of the public, makes a significant difference in helping both prevent crime and identifying perpetrators.
I was delighted to be invited with Suzanne to attend the SCC Foster Carer’s Charter Launch at Woodhatch.
There are over 400 foster carers in Surrey and events are held by SCC to bring them together and share stories and receive support. There were more than 60 carers present at the launch of the Foster Carer’s Charter which sets out how the Council and foster carers will work together. Details can be found here https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/social-care/fostering/charter
Tina Benjamin, Director of Corporate Parenting addressed everyone present and expressed gratitude to all the foster carers (and the foster carer support team that) explaining how fostering transforms lives. Having friends ourselves who have been through the foster care system and other friends who have become foster carers, it was a privilege to be able to meet so many wonderful people who make such a difference to the lives of so many Surrey children.
https://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SCC-Fostering-Service-Charter-Launch-Feat.-image.jpg10011500Andy Newboldhttps://www.highsheriffofsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheHighSheriffofSurrey-weblogo.pngAndy Newbold2025-05-13 12:43:422025-05-16 12:56:38Surrey County Council Foster Carer’s Charter Launch.
