HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh visits Disability Initiative

I had the honour of welcoming HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh to Camberley this week as she visited Disability Initiative – a charity she has been Patron of since 2003 and is a regular visitor. During her visit to the resource centre, she learned about the Charity’s ADEPT Project which was made possible through the support of the National Lottery Community Fund. The Duchess then joined in making festive Mince Pies, singing Carols and took part in a Christmas scene painting activity and a quiz!

Whilst there I also took part in the activities, though I fear my attempts at cooking and painting were not quite to the high standard attained by Her Royal Highness who does have a lot more experience in these matters.

Established in 1975 the charity strives to empower adults with disabilities towards their personal goals, through specialised tailored services, delivering high-quality care and slow stream rehabilitation while respecting personal choice, dignity, and freedom. Find out more about Disability Initiative at www.disabilityinitiative.org.uk.

Photos by David Hartley

#disabilityinitiative #disability #camberley #highsheriffofsurrey, #royalfamily #TNLCommunityFund

Dinner for the Judiciary 2024 and the Launch of a Ground-Breaking New Initiative.

The Pavillion at Guildford Cricket Club was the venue for the ‘Dinner for the Judiciary’ hosted by the current High Sheriff – Shahid Azeem DL – an annual event to celebrate and thank those people in the County for their dedication and service whilst supporting the Judiciary system. Also in attendance were HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux and his wife Sarah and The Leader of Surrey County Council – Tim Oliver OBE. 

The excellent meal was prepared and served by ‘Surplus to Supper’ and for every person dining, three additional meals per person will be provided for people in need in the community – Mr Azeem thanked Claire Hopkins and her remarkable team for making this possible. Claire spoke to the guests about the charity and how it bridges the gap between food waste and food poverty. In September they converted three tonnes of surplus food PER DAY into thousands of meals that are channelled through 150 local charities. Find out more at www.surplustosupper.org

The High sheriff talked about his engagements so far and particularly praised Surrey Police having seen for himself the challenges they face “Their professionalism, resilience and compassion were nothing short of inspiring” he said. 

His journey also took him to the courts where he visited the JPS Magistrate and observed a case, “These visits have given me a deeper understanding of the critical work done in the justice system every day. I also had the chance to visit HMP High Down where I initially planned to spend just a few hours but ended up staying the entire day, captivated by the work and dedication of the staff particularly moved by an inspiring Imam who delivers sermons to over 200 Muslim prisoners, his dedication to fostering hope and guidance was remarkable”

HHJ Patricia Lees – Resident Judge of Guildford, paid tribute to the High Sheriff with a speech about his achievements and contribution so far in his role and the evening was wrapped up by Michael Kelly JP who made good use of the occasion to launch an exciting new initiative – ‘The Magistrates Employers Forum’.

Magistrates are a critical cornerstone of the British Justice system. There are 160 or so Magistrates sitting on the Surrey bench and they are a cadre of volunteers sitting across criminal, youth and family jurisdictions, 64% of which are Women, which is higher than the national average. In England and Wales each year magistrates administer justice in over 90% of criminal cases, and the majority of civil cases. In this country we truly are globally unique in our reliance on volunteer judicial office holders to administer our criminal and civil justice. In the last 14 years national Magistrate numbers have halved – that is an unsustainable trend in our country. One of the challenges for the Surrey Magistracy is that two thirds of our bench are in employment. This brings challenges for individual Magistrates, their employers, and the courts. Individual Magistrates must balance their Judicial and their work duties. Employers must accommodate their employee Magistrates whilst successfully running their own organisations and of course the Court service must be cognisant of the demands and challenges on Magistrates time, both at home, at work and in the courtroom. 

“Frankly to remove barriers to employees becoming and staying Magistrates is also to set the conditions for greater diversity in the Magistracy. Socio economic, age and ethnic diversity, can all be unlocked by breaking down these barriers. Which is why tonight so I’m proud to share with you the establishment of ‘The Magistrates Employers Forum’,  an organisation born here in Surrey under the leadership of The High Sheriff to help break down barriers to employees becoming and remaining magistrates.”

The Magistrates were then invited to support and promote the initiative as it is established, an initiative that will no doubt also highlight the valuable relationship fostered between the Judiciary, The High Sheriff and Surrey Lieutenancy.

“Surrey is reliant on volunteer Magistrates – most of whom work. Society and justice benefits from a diverse magistracy. The Magistrates employer’s forum is today born in Surrey! This organisation would not exist without the vision, work and Patronage of our High Sheriff, of our Lord-Lieutenant – Michael More-Molyneux, and the Chair of Surrey Magistrates – Dee Wilkinson – on behalf of Surrey Magistracy and all of us – Thank You.” – Michael Kelly JP.

#surreymagistrates #surreypolice #thesurreylieutenancy #surreycountycouncil #surplustosupper

Surrey Fire & Rescue Awards

The High Sheriff – Shahid Azeem DL recently attended the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Annual Awards and Commendations Event, held at G Live in Guildford. The prestigious occasion was an opportunity to recognise colleagues for their achievements as follows;

  • Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.
  • 20 Years Service Awards.
  • 30+ Years Service Awards.
  • Certificates for Meritorious Actions.
  • Notable Achievements.
  • The Kirkpatrick Award – Best Trainee Firefighter of the Year.
    This event gives the Service a way to recognise publicly the achievements of our personnel
    in the presence of their family, friends, and invited guests.

As well as presenting some of the awards, Shahid made the following speech;

“Thank you to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service for the kind invitation to join you for this special evening. In August I visited the open day at Surrey Fire Rescue in Reigate and followed up in September when I had the pleasure of visiting Guildford Fire Station and was warmly welcomed by Woking’s Blue Watch crew, who were covering for Guildford due to an ongoing incident. That visit offered me an invaluable glimpse into the daily realities and challenges faced by firefighters. It was a reminder of the dedication, skill, and resilience required in your line of work and to see the fire equipment  Tonight, I am further inspired by the remarkable commitment demonstrated by so many across the service. From frontline firefighters and various teams and specialists that keep Surrey safe to volunteers who sacrifice their own time to contribute to the services work.  You play a vital role! Well, done to all receiving awards tonight, whether for long service or for a specific contribution in your role. Your efforts make an immeasurable difference to the communities you serve. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the loved ones here tonight. You, too, are a vital part of this community, and we are all incredibly proud of the strength and encouragement you provide. Thank you once again for your extraordinary service. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening and take this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate your achievements.”

Chief Fire Officer Dan Quin said: “This event is a highlight in our yearly calendar, where we come together to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and dedication of our colleagues and community members to keep the people of Surrey safe.  “Congratulations to all our award recipients, and thank you to the friends, family, and loved ones who have supported them.”  

High Down Prison - 'Fostering a compassionate and effective approach to corrections that defies many of the usual perceptions.”

HM Prison High Down – ‘Fostering a compassionate and effective approach to corrections that defies many of the usual perceptions.’

The High Sheriff – Shahid Azeem DL, paid a visit to His Majesty’s Prison High Down where he observed the operations and met with inmates. allowing him a rare and meaningful insight into what he described as ‘a respectful, balanced atmosphere that has been cultivated.’

“The mutual respect and cooperation between the staff and inmates is remarkable,” he said, “I was particularly impressed by how attentively staff listened to the inmates’ concerns, taking time to address them personally, and by their genuine knowledge of each inmate’s background. This approach not only fosters trust but also contributes significantly to a cohesive, well-run environment that supports personal growth and rehabilitation.”

HMP High Down is a men’s category C prison and young offender institution (YOI) located near Banstead in Surrey. The facility holds 1203 prisoners and notably opened the renown “Clink” restaurant  in 2009 which was a ground breaking development in prisoner training opportunities.

Shahid continues, “It was a privilege to meet the prison Imam, and join the 200 Muslim inmates for Friday prayer in the Multi-Faith Centre and the sermon delivered was an inspirational reminder of individual responsibility, respect for others, and the pursuit of being a better human being – his delivery fostered a sense of community and encouraged personal reflection – qualities that clearly resonate well with the inmates.”

The High Sheriff pledged to contribute further by encouraging local volunteers to assist the prison with vocation training programs in plumbing, hairdressing, decoration, and brickwork. He added, “It is wonderful to know that organisations like ‘Elite Project Services’ ( read more at – https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/dwp-mentoring-scheme-ex-offenders-prison-leavers-944679), provide opportunities for inmates to work on real projects upon completion of training, and I look forward to facilitating additional support. Visiting High Down Prison was an eye-opening experience, and I am pleased to see such a compassionate and effective approach to corrections that defies many of the usual perceptions.”

Remembering our Fallen Heroes

The High Sheriff of Surrey – Shahid Azeem DL joined the procession and laid a wreath at the Armistice Remembrance Ceremony in Epsom. (11th November 2024.) Photos courtesy of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (Oliver Clark).

He also visited The Muslim Peace Garden at Horsell Common near Woking, to lay a wreath and remember those who lost their lives during conflict.

#Epsom #Remembrance #epsomandewell #muslimpeacegardens #horsellmuslimpeacegarden #horsell #muslimburialgroundhorsell #woking #armisticeday #highsheriffofsurrey

Surrey’s High Sheriff re-visits his Guildford School.

The High Sheriff took a trip down memory lane recently when he revisited his old school – Kings College (then Park Barn School), Guildford.

Shahid Azeem DL, went to the school during the 1970’s and described it as ‘Grounding’. 

Speaking to children in the school’s library and in very much different times, he gave them a brief history of his own journey which led to heading many organizations in the Technology world and being a very successful business person –he currently heads up a UK/Europe IT Business with over 1,000 employees.

Shahid shared with the students his love for sport which began at the school and his goal of becoming a professional footballer was cut short due to injury, but his love for the game led to him chairing Aldershot Football Club. 

After a Q & A session during which Mr Azeem offered useful advice on succeeding in business, Headteacher Alastair McKenzie provided Shahid with a tour of the school whereby he pointed out many changes since his days there and shared stories about how it used to be. 

He said “When I was here all those years ago it was a challenging school and I was an obvious target being the only person of colour – however I learned to fit in and it was grounding. My time there stood me in good stead for the future and probably helped me to keep my feet firmly on the ground. Looking around now the school is almost unrecognisable and it has a very high standard. All credit to Alistair and his staff for providing a great and safe place to learn”

In a news article from ‘Surrey Live’ this summer. – Journalist Emily Dalton wrote, ‘A Surrey school has been praised by Ofsted – noting that even students ‘love how strict it is. Kings College in Guildford has been given a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted inspectors, after it was was visited between June 5-6, with the results published July 8. Inspectors found students are proud of their school, with one student even saying “It’s strict, but a good strict, because the teachers really care.” The sponsor-led academy, which has 544 pupils, continues to be ‘Good’ from its 2018 inspection.’

In the main corridor there is an evident sense of pride with a prominent display of alumni. Mr Azeem who as High Sheriff of the County was approved by both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HM The King after his first term was restricted due to the Covid19 Pandemic, is a fine example of such an Alumnus. He said “It was a pleasure to return to Kings College and I am proud to have been a student there”

Photography by Andy Newbold.

The Mission & Vision of Charlie’s Promise

The High Sheriff met the founders of ‘Charlies Promise’ to find out more about their fight against the rising issue of knife crime in the UK and to help them raise awareness of the dangers of both carrying and using a knife.

CEO & Founder, Martin Cosser said of the visit, “We at ‘Charlie’s Promise’ were privileged to have the opportunity to meet The High Sheriff of Surrey – Shahid Azeem DL, and the Mayor of Farnham – Councillor Brodie Mauluka who is also supporting our Charity this year.  Shahid took the time to listen to our tragic story about the unnecessary loss of our beautiful son Charlie and the work we’ve been doing in the Home Counties to educate young people about the dangers and immeasurable impacts of knife crime. He pledged to help us as much as he can in raising awareness and profile, which will enable us to grow and fulfil our Charity Objectives.“

Charlie’s family and friends have created a website to educate people on the consequences of carrying knives and also offer support to families of victims of knife crime. (https://www.charliespromise.org)

Whilst Charlie was on life support, his Dad Martin made the most important promise of his life. He whispered in Charlie’s ear and promised him he would make it his life’s work to do everything he can to raise awareness of knife crime and the immeasurable damage it causes to the victim and their family and friends. 

If it can happen to Charlie, a young lad who didn’t like arguments and avoided trouble – he preferred silly dancing and making people laugh – it can happen to anyone.  

The High Sheriff said of the visit, “This is one visit that I wish was not necessary because no parent should ever lose a child to something as senseless as knife crime. It was extremely sad and emotional to learn how a teenager Like Charlie who goes to a party, never came back home to his family. There can nothing in life that is worse than having to bury your child. I urge people to visit the ‘Charlies Promise’ website and make themselves aware of the dangers of carrying knives and help Martin fulfil his promise to his son by educating their children. If you can support by fundraising too please do and I applaud the work done by Charlie’s brave family and friends so that other people do not have to endure the pain they have gone through. I too believe we are stronger together – when we work together we can achieve so much more.“

The Surrey Lord-Lieutenant Awards at Sandhurst.

On Thursday 17th October the High Sheriff attended the Surrey Lord-Lieutenant Awards Ceremony at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Lord-Lieutenant awarded Seven Meritorious Service Certificates from across all three Services and one Best Reservist Award. Also during the evening, seven new Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were appointed for 2024-25.

#surreylieutenancy #highsheriffofsurrey #RoyalMilitaryAcademySandhurst #surreycadets

BEM Honours for Surrey Residents.

The High Sheriff was in attendance at HMK Birthday Honours British Empire Medal Investitures, held at Loseley House in Guildford recently, hosted by The Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey – Michael More-Molyneux, who presented awards to six Surrey residents. He was joined by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Mary Creswell who read the citations.

The recipients were – Mr Selwyn Boothe – For services to Education, Mr Eric Champion – For services to the Riverside Arts Centre and to Culture in Spelthorne, Mrs Lynda Jones – For Voluntary Service to the British Red Cross, Mrs Rachael Lake – For services to the community in Walton on Thames, Surrey (NY Honours), Mr Lucas Maxwell – For services to Education and Dr Christian Wilcock – For services to the NHS and to the community in the London Borough of Croydon.

The High Sheriff – Mr Shahid Azeem DL, is pictured with Woking resident – Mrs Lynda Jones BEM and her guests who continues to give a lifetime of voluntary service, supporting the older and most vulnerable local people in the Woking area. A volunteer with the British Red Cross for over 60 years, she has supported the Red Cross by fund raising, undertaking ambulance duties on NHS work, first aid duties at local events and working in local hospitals.

Read more about Honours in Surrey on the Surrey Lieutenancy website HERE.

The Award Presentation at Losley house by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey
The High Sheriff of Surrey – Mr Shahid Azeem DL with Mrs Lynda Jones BEM and guests.

FareShare Sussex & Surrey – No Good Food Should Go To Waste!

FareShare Sussex & Surrey were thrilled to host the High Sheriff of Surrey at their Guildford Depot on a recent visit. The visit was an opportunity to share the work of FareShare to redistribute food waste from all parts of the food industry to a network of 140 charities and community groups. These savings enable charities to invest precious funds into other key areas of work whilst receiving varied, quality food each week.

The High Sheriff said of his visit “The issue of food waste is one of my key focus areas during my term as High Sheriff and I was very impressed and encourgaged  by the operation at FareShare Sussex and Surrey. On a national level FareShare have redistributed 56,000 tonnes of food during 2023-24, helping around one million people as well as the environment. It is great to see such charities thriving and changing the way we think food wise in order to help combat hunger and improve the health of the planet for future generations.”

FareShare is the UK’s longest running food redistribution charity. They were born out of the belief that no good food should go to waste, especially when people are going hungry. This belief is as central to their work now as it was 25 years ago.

Also in the picture are Claire Hopkins and Andrew Osbourne from Surrey Charity – “Surplus to Supper’, another organisation with a common interest in food redistribution.

For more information about FareShare go to; https://fareshare.org.uk