CrimeStoppers UK Call Centre Always Available For 'Fearless Youth'

 Ian Chandler, Chair of Voluntary Surrey CrimeStoppers Committee (left); Louise, Head of Contact Services Centre (right) and Emily, ‘Fearless Youth’ Outreach Worker (centre) joined Glenys Balchin, Regional Manager, Surrey & Sussex, in welcoming a ‘continuity’ of Surrey High Sheriffs, with Bridget Biddell, High Sheriff In Nomination (second left), keen to understand the excellent work undertaken by this national charity. Supervisor Tony, explained the impressive details behind the 24/7, 365 days/year operation of the Call Centre, and the role of the 50+ members of staff. The ‘Fearless Youth’ initiative was of particular interest, given the specific intent to reach 11-16 year olds, who need the security of guaranteed anonymity for which CrimeStoppers has been famous for the last thirty years. An inspired initiative which will be closely followed and supported by the Surrey Shrievalty!   

 

Chief Scout Gold Awards – Reigate District

County Commissioner, Joe Rogerson (left) and Assistant County Commissioner, Paul Iverson, welcomed Dorothy Ross-Tomlin, the Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, to the third Chief Scout Gold Award ceremony of the year, held this time in Reigate District. Proud families, friends and leaders gathered to celebrate the achievements of the 57 young people receiving the Gold Award. An ideal opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to the 3,400 adult volunteers across the Surrey Scouts movement for their priceless service to our community!

 

Latest 10 Y.E.S. Graduates!

Gomshall Fire Station was the venue for the latest Graduation Ceremony of the Youth Engagement Scheme, when 10 new Graduates received their certificates from Chief Fire Officer Steve Owen-Hughes at a moving ceremony attended by many families, friends and supporters. Sharp eyed readers will notice that there are only 9 certificates – that is because unexpected family circumstances meant that one young graduate had to miss the event at the last moment. But don’t worry Alex from Blue Squad, I have it on the highest authority that Mark and Bryn will be identifying an opportunity for a personal presentation soon! 

 

A Magnificent Venue to raise Awareness of CFS!

 

Sir Stephen Lamport, Vice President of the Community Foundation For Surrey, is also Receiver General of Westminster Abbey, and generously arranged for CFS Chairman David Frank, CEO Laura Thurlow, Director of Philanthropy, Joe Crome, and the CFS team to utilise this magnificent venue as an opportunity to highlight the activities of this essential county-wide charity, raising Local Philanthropy for Local Needs!  

Engaging Surrey Youth Focus AGM

Thanks to SCC Chairman, Tony Samuels (third left), County Hall was the scene of the Surrey Youth Focus AGM with a difference! Lord Lieutenant and SYF President, Michael More-Molyneux (centre), SYF Chairman, Alister McGowan (third right) and CEO, Cate Newnes-Smith (second right) welcomed partners and funders to a lively programme of presentations and discussion. The real difference was provided by the three Social Change case studies presented with great professionalism and passion by;

Courtney Giles, Epsom PHAB (right) – whose 100 members and 50 volunteers meet at NESCOT

Paul Napthine, YMCA Guildford (second left) – on Supported Housing: ‘More Than A Room’

Dr Ann Kenney, Halo Project (centre) – on ‘Disability Works” and their great partnership with Waitrose.

A thought provoking review of ‘The Social Change Project’ by Sue Tibballs, CEO Sue McKecknie Foundation, completed an excellent agenda.

 

HSYA Project at 'Change of Scene' Well Underway!

Funding was agreed from the High Sheriff Youth Awards earlier in the year for Sue Weaver (Chief Officer) and Kim (left) to undertake a pilot scheme to help one young person requiring support and assistance to avoid becoming excluded from school. The project is now well underway and, with Kim’s expert guidance, results already look most promising. Presenting the HSYA Certificate was an absolute pleasure!

 

 

Eikon/Lifetrain Outreach at Sunbury Youth Club

Lead Worker, Sharon Burke (left) welcomed me to one of the first Tuesday night sessions for the Bus Outreach programme, and introduced me to fellow professionals Ryan and Lorraine. the team briefed me fully on the plans for the coming months and I was delighted to accept an invitation to join one of the Tuesday Boxing sessions planned in January (but only as an observer!). One of the young people making good use of the Club was also an excellent photographer, as you can see!

 

'Giving People Hope For The Future' at The Well, Ashford

Sincere thanks to Cllr Jean Pinkerton, Mayor of Spelthorne (left), for arranging an inspiring visit to this transformation undertaken by The King’s Community Church, Staines. The Well provides a community facility where people can feel safe and be welcomed into a relaxing environment by Pastor Paul(left), his wife Christine, Chair of Trustees, Keith (right), and other volunteers.

The breadth of activities really are amazing, and includes the provision of very helpful advice in areas such as dealing with family debt. The Tap Dancing class for the over 70’s is very popular and a great example of the imaginative schedule throughout the week. The Well really is the centre of the community, and a centre of refreshment for all – the gluten free cakes were wonderful! 

 

'Democracy Week' at Hythe Community Primary School

Leadership Team Support, Liz Gibson, invited me to meet the pupils at a special assembly to explain the role of the High Sheriff, and to announce the winners of the Head/Deputy Head for the day competition. Liz’s Democracy Week programme had already enabled the Mayor of Runnymede, Dolsie Clarke, to meet the pupils and prime them with some very challenging questions! The competition for the special ‘roles for the day’ was really tough, with different manifestos being debated by the pupils and final voting arranged in a very thorough way – just like the elections we adults know so well. The worthy winners were Olivia (right) as Deputy Head for the day, and Lily (left) as Head for the day on Friday. I have no doubt that they will be excellent in their new roles!

I was asked many searching questions during assembly, and a video is now circulating on twitter showing me struggling to keep up with all of the sharp minds present! 

 

The Haven – Another Great Children's Centre (Just ask the Mums!)

If you need an uplifting way to start the day, just visit one of Surrey’s invaluable Children’s Centres and chat to the Mums as they arrive! This morning was the Haven, Staines where I was able to meet Centre Manager, Debbi Keeley (second left) and her team. As Debbie and the Mums explained, the various activities and support services are maximised through the very close working relationship with Hythe Community Primary School next door, so that children are able to move without disruption from the Haven to their first school. A very positive introduction to formal education!