Claygate Youth and Community Hub.

Any event involving sparklers and toasted marsh-mallows was going to be enjoyed by Suzanne and myself but we had an exceptionally great time being hosted by the Claygate Youth and Community Hub. It is a remarkable place being in an old village school hall provided by Surrey County Council. It offers fun, youth activities and support to all young people aged 11-19, providing a safe and welcoming space for them to socialise, learn new skills, and get support and advice when needed. Open as a drop-in centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week as well as offering holiday clubs for 11-16s.

It was wonderful to see the rapport between the staff, volunteers and the young people who are encouraged to express themselves whilst enjoying activities from cooking, playing games, trying new activities and developing social skills. The Hub believes in empowering young people, helping them to achieve their full potential and to make positive contributions to their communities. This sits so well with my Shrieval theme this year of preventing young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment and Training), and Katie Holmes the Hub Manager and her wonderful team and trustees deserve tremendous credit for what they have created for their local community. There was a very touching moment when one of the young people came up to me to specifically tell me how Katie through a number of one to one sessions, and by encouraging his involvement in the Hub, had changed his life.

Suzanne spent most of the evening in the kitchen, helping prepare pumpkin soup and cakes, whilst I was diligently carrying out quality control testing on the marsh-mallows!

Spelthorne in Bloom Awards.

One of my early engagements as High Sheriff was to attend the launch of this year’s Spelthorne in Bloom competition back in April. So some seven months later, Suzanne and I were delighted to return for the results with Grace one of my Police Cadets.

The initial event had been hosted by Squires and the Awards evening by Notcutts and all 12 awards were sponsored by local businesses which is a testament to both the commitment of local businesses to the Community and the hard work the Committee put in to ensure the success of the event which is now in its 35 year. Cllr John Doran, Mayor of Spelthorne, local MP, Lincoln Jopp, Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, Daniel Mouawad and Inspector Matthew Walton, Borough Commander Surrey Police, were joined by many members of the local community avidly awaiting the results.

Notcutts kindly provided some refreshments and the evening was expertly compered by Chairman of Spelthorne in Bloom, Nick Wood-Dow DL.

[picture is of all the winners from Stanwell]

Eikon – Helping Young People, their Families and Carers.

I had wanted to visit Eikon since before my Shrieval year commenced, as I was aware of the amazing work they do to help young people, their families and carers.

Providing mentoring support to young people at an early stage can change future pathways and help prevent young people from becoming NEET (No in Education, Employment and Training). Eikon’s core values recognise that growing up in today’s world can be incredibly challenging, every young person deserves to feel safe, we should help children learn the skills they need to be safe and well, early help often stops problems from growing, we should listen to young people as they understand better than anyone what’s happening in their own lives and that schools, parents, and carers sometimes need help to support and empower young people.

Chris Hickford MBE who started helping young people initially through a youth club 30 years ago is the inspiring CEO and he gave Suzanne and I a tour of their facilities, including their amazing community garden which provides a calm, safe space when needed. He also explained how Eikon operates in schools, community groups, youth clubs and on-line across the County to be there when needed for those most in need.

The Surrey Military Support Group

One of the privileges of being the High Sheriff of Surrey is to sit on the Surrey Military Support Group which is chaired by the Lord Lieutenant. It serves as a strategic liaison group between the military and civil society in Surrey and its purpose is to enhance understanding, trust and mutual support between the armed forces and the communities the serve. Our most recent meeting was held at the Tower of London which enabled us to witness the wonderful installation of thousands or ceramic poppies to reflect on the lasting impact and devastating scale of loss caused by the Second World War 1939-1945. The installation was designed by Tom Piper and the poppies by artist Paul Cummins and the installation commenced ahead of VE Day and lasts until after Remembrance Day.

The Wonderful Nepalese Gurkha Association in Camberley

Suzanne and I spent a special couple of hours with the wonderful Nepalese Gurkha Association in Camberley. They meet weekly at High Cross Church in Camberley.

We were very warmly welcomed and we were informed about how the association had recently set up as charity to promote the social inclusion of Nepalese and Gurkha veterans and their families in Camberley who may be socially excluded from society due to limited English language skills, ill health and old age. They provide English training, social and recreational events, whilst continuing to advance the education of the local community about Nepalese Culture.

They would welcome the opportunity to have access to some permanent space in Camberley which would enable them to meet together on a more regular basis and help reduce the affects of isolation and loneliness within their community.

They shared some delicious food and wonderful stories and we thoroughly our time in their company.

Learning Space – A Children’s Emotional Well-being and Mental Health Charity.

It is said that good things come to those that wait and perhaps also those who preserve. Having endured a car breakdown, delayed trains and a near vertical route-march from Redhill station, I eventually arrived at the haven of Learning Space and enjoyed a wonderful couple of hours in the company of CEO, Mark Lister, Head of Trustees, Stefan Nahajski, fellow trustee Mike Lightfoot and head of fund-raising Rebecca Wheaton.

Learning Space is a children’s emotional well-being and mental health charity that provides individual and group support for 5 – 18 years olds in Surrey. They offer a strengths-based, therapeutic mix of solution focused support together with a variety of creative activities customised to the individual needs and interests of the child, young person or adult. They are an alliance partner of Mindworks Surrey, a group of organisations working together to deliver the new emotional wellbeing and mental health service for children and young people in Surrey.

Whilst I was there I was delighted to be asked to join a Youth Voice session with a number of young people. Sitting in the round everyone was encouraged to participate and open up through friendly conversation and games. It was wonderful to see how the young people started to relax and laugh in the safe space that was generated, and I felt very privileged to be allowed into their circle.

Learning Space is looking to expand it activities and the number of young people they can support, and they would particularly like to hear from any local people and businesses in the Redhill area who would like to become involved in helping them help young people in their local community.

Find out more at https://www.learningspace.org.uk

The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Awards 2025.

Suzanne and I together with my police cadets, Imogen and Grace, thoroughly enjoyed a celebratory evening at the Dorking Halls recognising the achievements of a number of individuals at the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Awards and Commendations Ceremony.

I was delighted to part of the awards team which also included Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Andrew Latham, Chief Fire Officer, Dan Quin, Vice-Chair of Surrey County Council, Bernie Muir, and the Cabinet Member for Surrey Fire and Police and Resilience, Kevin Deanus. I was also kept on my toes by being informed I was making a speech only after I had arrived, but fortunately I was provided with some words of wisdom to help me thank those present for their unwavering commitment. Awards were given for years of service and meritorious actions and conduct. Dan Quin said that they were not just a service but a community and acknowledged the families and loved ones also present and the dedication of all the teams from frontline firefighters, control room staff, support teams, volunteers and everyone who plays a part in keeping Surrey safe.

The Green Hub at Witley.

It is not often you have a meeting in an old stationmaster’s house on a station platform, but Suzanne and I were delighted to meet up with Green Hub at their charity’s headquarters on Witley station. We met with Vanessa Lanham-Day (Chair of the Management Board), Flo Headlam (Patron) and other members of team and heard how Green Hub is a local community charity based in Milford, Witley & Godalming supporting teens (10-18) in Waverley, Surrey and NE Hampshire, who are facing social, emotional & mental health challenges. They provide ‘social therapeutic horticulture’, and they come along to their Green Teens programme for a couple of hours each week for 12 weeks, working in one of their local Green Hub gardens, whatever the weather. The idea is to teach them strategies that they can use for the rest of their lives, based on their ‘5 ways to wellbeing’. It was great to hear how the charity is growing and their enthusiasm to help young people in the local community. They have the capability of helping more young people and details of how to join in can be found on their website. – https://greenhub.org.uk.

An Award for ‘Sparkfish’ – Providing Valuable Support to Schools in East Surrey.

Sparkfish – A Redhill Christian organisation that engages with young people in schools across Reigate, Redhill and Merstham, offering support in important areas of the curriculum and school life was awarded a grant from the High Sheriff Youth Awards last year and this week Ron Enticott from the HYSA, went along to the Sparkfish offices to present Director – Harriet Pearce, and helper – Tim Hills with a certificate from the High Sheriff in recognition of great and valuable services to the community.

The High Sheriff Youth Awards are an organisation who provide funding for a project or initiative for young people that will help reduce or prevent crime – and make communities stronger and safer by reaching out and helping others. Groups can apply for funding for a new or existing project provided that it meets the funding guidance set out on the HSYA website (http://www.surreyhighsheriff.org/willyouqualify.html)

SparkFish was launched in Autumn 2010. It soon became an independent charitable trust, supported by many local churches. Since then, the team has grown and their work has expanded to include the great majority of local schools, primary as well as secondary. The work of volunteers in a range of roles is also vital to their work. Some help in schools on a weekly basis, or get involved in special projects once a year. Others act as our Champions in local churches, raising the profile of schools’ ministry and encouraging practical support. SparkFish also offers opportunities for gap year volunteers who are interested in schools or youth work.

Congratulations Sparkfish on your many achievements and thank you for your contribution to the community.

Find out more by visiting the website – https://sparkfish.org.uk

A Visit to LinkAble in Woking.

I previously had the pleasure of meeting members of the LinkAble Team at the Sheerwater Community Day with Suzanne; so we were delighted to be invited to their main centre in Woking earlier this week to meet with CEO, Sue Stockman, and the rest of her team. We arrived just as the minibuses pulled in, Some bringing young people from school and another returning adults who had been out on a day trip.

LinkAble is a charity which supports people with a learning difficulty and autistic people and helps them lead the life they wish to live. Their weekly groups and holiday schemes offer engaging experiences for people with additional needs, along with essential short breaks for exhausted parents and carers. From sensory activities and days out to performing arts, socialising, and life skills. They are about to launch a new service called Livablity which will enable people to gain the skills and confidence they need to live independent lives and put them on a pathway to paid work or regular volunteering opportunities. Sadly, only about 7% of people with a learning disability are in work, when the majority aspire to have a job and this programme is intended to help them on their journey.

All the staff were amazing and the photo shows me with Sue, Millie (a team leader) and one of the youngsters enjoying the after school activities.