PHAB Epsom & Ewell – 'Inclusion is Key'

Friday night at NESCOT means PHAB Club Evening and Malcolm (Chair of Trustees) was by the gate to offer a warm welcome, and introduce the two Club Leaders; ‘dynamic duo’ Julia and Adrian Giles. Club Evening caters for young people of all abilities between the ages of 8 – 18, and has now been running in Epsom & Ewell for 40 years. The 30 volunteers include many long standing members, and they all ensure that family and friends are encouraged to swell the numbers over the years – an excellent model of sustainability! My thanks to Mark for taking this fine photo of Julia and Adrian, with volunteers Chris (centre) and Jaffa, celebrating with Paulo, one of the stars from the recent PHAB Show at Epsom Playhouse.

 

 

 

NESSSS Christmas Fayre – 'Another Chance To Turn Things Round'

This powerful description of the work at North East Surrey Short Stay School was certainly evident when I received a real Xmas welcome from Nigel, Chair of the Management Committee; Michelle, Headteacher; Claire, Head of KS3 and Kara, Creative Arts Teacher, to the exciting Christmas Fayre at Stanwell New Road! The pupils had decided that all proceeds would go to a special charity – Shooting Star Chase, so everyone was keen to help – just look what the High Sheriff got!

Andrew (above) found it difficult to sell the wonderful wooden bowl he had skilfully made, under the expert tuition of craftsman volunteer, but it was all for a great cause!

And what a brilliant bag which Kasey (above) had expertly finished with my own name – the stag was just like the one at the University of Surrey. Kara (above) was justifiably proud of all of the pupils who had worked together to make the beautiful Xmas gifts on sale. That’s my Xmas shopping done!

 

HMP Bronzefield – Directly Benefiting Residents

Governor Ian Whiteside and Managing Chaplain, Marcel McLaren, welcomed Tony Samuels, Chairman of SCC, the High Sheriff and the High Sheriff’s Chaplain, Revd Alan Jonas, to an insightful and detailed introduction to the largest women’s prison in the UK. HMP Bronzefield has a large number of ‘local’ residents processing through the courts system; approx 25% who are sentenced and awaiting transfer to women’s training prisons (such as HMP Down View and HMP Send) and the remainder of Restricted Status from across England. There is also a mother/baby unit, with plans for an ‘open prison’ unit on site in the future.

The most impactful memories will be of the impressive ‘Diversity Team’ within the Chaplaincy area, and the discussion with one resident who has secured employment on release in 2020 through her dedication to the opportunity grasped within the on-site call centre in the Activities Block. I look forward to delivery of my framed material-based picture, purchased from ‘Jailbirds’, who had a recent sellout of their creative products following the recent performance of ‘Sweet Charity’ (led by Pimlico Opera)!

 

Information Packed Visit to Fordway Centre

I was welcomed to Fordway by Ian Enwright, Surrey Executive Head of Primary Referral Units, and Headteacher Linda Whitehorn – the impactful main message board perfectly describes their mission in life on behalf of the 18 special pupils in their care! Ian and Linda shared moving success stories of pupils who have thrived since experiencing the dedicated, individual approach offered by the Fordway Centre team, and we will be featuring several over the coming months. Watch this space!

  

 

Vikings Invade Clarendon Primary School!

Headteacher, William, and Deputy Head, Louise, introduced me to some powerful Vikings during my visit to address a special assembly at the school. The Head Girl and Boy, together with the Deputy Head Girl and Boy (all voted for by their peers after intense campaigning) were the perfect hosts and ensured that we were joined by several of the pupils after assembly for a farewell picture!

  

 

Meeting the Mums at Clarendon Sure Start Children's Centre!

 

A great start to the day at the invitation of Sue Burgess, Centre Manager, and her Deputy, Diane (left). We were joined by Clarendon Primary School Headteacher,  William Neale (right) and had the opportunity to meet Mums during a Parenting Session and share their passionate, and often astonishing, stories of how important the Children’s Centre is for them. One Mum explained how all of her children had been keen members of the Children’s Centre over some 10 years, since it’s opening.

 

Very impressive to see the way that Sue and the team work closely with Clarendon Primary School, and Andrew is a firm advocate of the process ensuring smooth transitions through Nursery School (also on site) and on to the Primary School – my next visit!

Unum Thanks Charity Partners on "Giving Tuesday"

Chairman of Unum UK, Malcolm McCaig (left), and Chief Executive Unum UK, Peter O’Donnell, welcomed their national and local charity partners for a Charity Afternoon Tea in London. Unum are a very large employer within Surrey, and have an impressive programme of support for local communities within an impactful Corporate Social Responsibility strategy. The approach includes matching employee fundraising; employee volunteer days; payroll giving; Charity Partners (nominated and chosen by staff) and a company grants programme for local charities. Malcolm explained that ‘Giving Tuesday’ is recognised in over 70 countries across the world – no better day on which to say ‘thank you’ to some wonderful Surrey charities!  

 

 

Chertsey & Dorking Children's Centre Briefing

Very grateful to Head Teacher, Donna (holding a regular user!), and Deputy, Helen, for taking time to brief Lady Louise O’Connor and the High Sheriff on the current consultation which will decide the future of Children’s Centres across Surrey. As both experts emphasised, it is vital that all parents get involved in this process so that all needs, expectations and views can be fully considered by Surrey County Council. All of the children we met were certainly committed to Dorking Nursery School & Children’s Centre!

 

8th year of the Inspiring BBC Sussex/Surrey 'Community Heroes Awards'

Sara David, Editor of BBC Sussex & BBC Surrey, and Mark Carter, Assistant Editor, welcomed a wonderful gathering of nominees and supporters from across Sussex and Surrey to this prestigious awards ceremony. High Sheriffs from both West Sussex (Caroline Nicholls, with Consort David) and Surrey were delighted to be asked to announce the judges’ choices in two of the nine categories, with the Outstanding Achievement Award this year given posthumously to Ellie Soutter, the elite snowboarder who tragically died on her eighteenth birthday. Her Mum and Dad accepted the Award and explained how Ellie’s memory lives on in the impactful work of the Ellie Soutter Foundation.

 Surrey was brilliantly represented throughout the evening, and we enjoyed celebrating with the following category winners;

Sgt David McClean – ‘999’ 

Agnes Kwiatkowska – ‘Carer’ 

Horsell Care – ‘Good Neighbour’

Ken Griffiths – ‘Volunteer’

Emily Bollon – ‘Music & Arts’

As you can see, Em was delighted by her award, as was the High Sheriff (we served together on Council at the University of Surrey, when Em was Student President)!

  

 

Local Company Supports Rare Local Residents!

 

Wendy Varcoe (behind the tree!), Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, has been working with Ella Driscoll (shovel in hand!) and the entire team from Shere Kitchens, on this heartwarming initiative to help restore the natural habitat of the endangered White-Letter Hairstreak butterfly. This rare Surrey resident is wholly dependant on Elm trees, now themselves scarce following the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease. Not only are Shere Kitchens planting a tree for every kitchen that they make (a thoughtful and very welcome support for local conservation and sustainability), each one will be an Elm to help link the existing two butterfly populations at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve. And here is the beautiful beneficiary!