SATRO Awards Celebrate STEM Skills!

The WWF Living Planet Centre was the venue once again for the renowned annual SATRO Awards celebrating the huge wealth of STEM skills amongst our inspiring young people, and the substantial support received from employers, volunteers, University, Colleges and Schools across the county. I will have many pictures of the worthy winners over the coming days, and as a fine start I met Freya (below) whose project was with our friends at Headway Surrey, the charity supporting people with brain injuries. CEO, Sonja Freebody, explained that Freya had identified several practical opportunities to provide even more everyday support to Headway’s clients, and had been a truly inspirational presence around the organisation during her project (as you can see, Sonja is also an excellent photographer!)

 

 

Royal Holloway Festival of Volunteering

 

As winners of the Queen’s Award For Volunteering, we have come to expect something special at this leading University, and Phil Simcock, Volunteering Manager, and his team certainly did not disappoint, as some 50 charities gathered around the circus tent on campus to meet students old and new, who are all keen to volunteer. I also met the Surrey Police unit who were explaining the many opportunities to volunteer within the Force, not least by supporting the Volunteer Police Cadets. Vice-Principal Bob O’Keefe (centre) joined Farhan Hay, Positive Action Manager for Surrey Police (left), and Helen Hartley (Surrey Police) to share the details.

 

Visit to Meet 'East to West' at Bishop Wand School, Sunbury, Reveals NO PEXs!

For over eight years, ‘East To West’ have been an integral part of the Bishop Wand approach based around pastoral care and support. This impressive system enables a highly dedicated team to work closely together to support pupils who are facing a wide variety of possible problems and difficulties. Team members include Dawn Keough, East to West Relational Support Manager (below), Val O’Keeffe, Inclusion Manager, Chaplain, Mrs M Ratnayake and all members of the renowned Learning Support unit at the school. This approach has consistently led to drastically reduced exclusions; virtually no permanent exclusions (PEXs) and only one pupil recently placed at a Pupil Referral Unit. Of course, such an approach requires a lot of admirable commitment from the school and the Governing Body, but what an encouraging outcome for the young people facing such personal challenges. ‘Centre of Excellence’ springs to mind!

 

 

Multi Faith Service For Chairman of Mole Valley District Council

Chairman Raj Haque decided that a Multi Faith Service was the ideal form of Civic Ceremony to officially recognise his year in office, which Ian and the MVDC team delivered in real style to the delight of the many faith leaders, civic dignitaries (below) and community members present.

 Raj and Nasima invited Imam Joynal Ahmed (Epsom & Ewell Islamic Society); Martin O’Donovan (Chairman of Ashtead Churches Together); Rabbi Kath Vardi (North West Surrey Synagogue); David Savage (Humanists UK) and Meeta Joshi (Hindu Chaplain, University of Surrey) to speak, and all delivered consistent messages of unity. The Imam captured the spirit of the occasion perfectly by identifying the word PEACE (Positivity; Empathy; Appreciation; Communication; Equality) as the means to administer fair justice for all members of our community. A powerful thought indeed!

We were delighted to see Meeta’s daughter, Nishi, deliver another exquisite dance performance to round off the perfect ceremony:

 

 

Matrix 18th Birthday Banquet!

Supporters turned out in force, and great style(!), last night to celebrate the Matrix Trust’s ‘coming of age’ with a superb banquet in the Guildhall, Guildford. The evening was a huge success and allowed Matrix CEO, Misty, with her team of executives; Simon (Acting Chair), Ian and their fellow Trustees and the many volunteers, to share the numerous successes and achievements over the past 18 years, and to look forward with great enthusiasm to building upon this strong foundation in the future. Most important of all, of course, are the many young people who Matrix support through their impactful activities in schools and in the community, and it was a real pleasure for everyone on the night to be able to meet the impressive representatives seen below from George Abbott School and the Albury Youth Club,

 

 What a wonderful future lies ahead!

'Headway' Wine Tasting at the Guildhall

An educational and thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all at the packed Guildhall, courtesy of Headway, hosted by Mike and Jean Parsons, Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford, and featuring renowned Master of Wine, John Downes (apologies about the picture quality, John!)

 Headway CEO, Sonja, and Chair of Trustees, Keith, together with their expert team of executives and trustees, emphasised just how important the charity’s work is for people with brain injuries, and the Mayor explained the very personal reasons for his selection of Headway as one of his Charities of The Year. Can’t wait to hear how much was raised!

 

Matrix Getting Ready To Celebrate!

Matrix Trust are 18 years old and from their base in Allen House Pavillion, they direct many impactful activities in schools and through youth clubs/drop-in/one-to-one sessions which offer expert support to young people in the Guildford area. I enjoyed a detailed insight today with Misty (centre), CEO, and Fiona, Fundraiser, and am delighted to be joining the formal celebratory dinner at the Guildhall tomorrow evening.

 

 

'KEEPOUT' – Creating The Legacy

 

This highly regarded charity was closed during 2017, following over 20 years of activity, so it was most encouraging to learn during today’s final conference at the University of Surrey (hosted by Prof Karen Bullock), that all of the associated, extensive learning will soon be available through a dedicated web site. As well as the Legacy Document, there will be access to an explanatory film, and details of all of the programme delivery. More details soon!

RBL Helps Us All To Remember Them!

 

The Royal British Legion have an impressive set of ‘Silent Silhouettes’ which allow everyone to say Thank You to ‘all who served, sacrificed and changed our world’ 100 years ago. We chose the RAF/RFC Airman and the Suffragette, but there are many others. Please help this appeal in whatever way you can – thank you!

Great Civic Support for Provincial Grand Lodge Service of Thanksgiving

 

Guildford Cathedral was the scene this afternoon for the Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey annual Service of Thanksgiving, under Provincial Grand Master, Ian Chandler (below). The many Civic Dignitaries were led by Deputy Lieutenant, Paul Ryder.

 One secret from recent fundraising efforts – Ian is now also Provincial Grand Master Chef! (so bookings may now be a problem)

 An ideal opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of our county for the very significant contributions made by all members of the Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey to our local community.