GASP Motor Project. Celebrating Twenty Years of Helping Young People Prepare for the World of Work.
Suzanne and I were delighted to join the Lord Lieutenant for the 20th Anniversary celebrations of GASP Motor Project, held at Mercedes World. The Shrievalty have long been supporters of GASP, indeed Sarah Varah, the Founder of GASP was High Sheriff in 2008/9. Today the charity works with over 500 young people a year delivering over 1,400 teaching sessions at their workshop and via their three mobile vans. Their vision has been, and still is, to enable young people, often including those who are disaffected and marginalised, to maximise their potential, change behaviours, appreciate the value of team work and prepare for the world of work.
Sarah Varah, Ian Watson (Chair of Trustees) and Alex Thompson (CEO) led proceedings and in addition to the trustees, volunteers and supporters, teams of young people had been competing on the track in the morning, with Damon Hill in attendance, and it was clearly evident the fun they had and the spirit of teamwork shone through.
I was also delighted to be reacquainted with Robert Honey, who used to be a friend of my son at school and is an alumnus of GASP. He recounted how his time with GASP galvanised his interest in engineering and eventually led him to securing a masters degree apprenticeship with Rolls Royce. A real example of how GASP’s inspiring impact.
Visit GASP’s website HERE.
Surrey Artists’ Open Studios Exhibition – Artventure
I had a very enjoyable BBQ lunch with the Artventure Trust on June 7th to kick off their involvement with Surrey Artists’ Open Studios Exhibition.
Artventure is a Guildford-based charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, physical impairments, or autism to be creative, have fun, and make new friends in a safe and sociable environment. They have been operating for 41 years and have an amazing group of volunteers and trustees who provide an opportunity for nearly 50 adults, with their carers, to express themselves every week. They operate out of a studio funded by the National Lottery in the grounds of St Peters School and have recently also opened up two days a week at Gosden school in Bramley to cope with the demand for their services.
The barbeque had a tremendous turnout, with past beneficiaries returning to see the wonderful artwork on display. Some people have been coming to Artventure for 25 years, demonstrating the joy and freedom they offer.
As with many charities I have visited, the role of the volunteer is crucial and I was delighted to meet Steve James who has been volunteering with Artventure for an amazing 35 years.
If you would like to visit during the Surrey Artists’ Open Studios Exhibition, the Exhibition is open from 7th to 22th June, on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm and on Thursday from 11am to 8pm at their studio at St Peters School.
I am pictured here with the Manager, Mariann Kehrling, Chairman, Robert Muir and Trustee, Philip Trumble.
Artventure’s website can be found HERE
You can also watch a documentary about the charity at – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc_94lS9DaU
Space2grow – A Magical Wild Garden in Farnham.
I had a wonderful afternoon with Suzanne at space2grow’s magical wild garden in Farnham for their Big Lunch. Located just behind St Andrews Church behind a small wooden door is a place of wonder! Founded by Lou James, if offers local people the opportunity to connect with others in the great outdoors, through horticulture and conversation. Emphasis is on enabling people to reconnect with nature, each other and themselves. They offer group activities across generational and socio-economic divides in the beautiful outdoor space (and in a big indoor ‘talking shed’), for a huge variety of individuals, schools and community groups, all of whom live locally.
The Big Lunch was an invitation to share friendship and food. Suzanne had made her legendary chocolate biscuit cake, which was very soon demolished by the many schoolchildren who were there. I am seen in the photo here with the wonderful school children from Potters Gate school who were avidly interested to know what a High Sheriff was! The Lord Lieutenant also came for lunch and we enjoyed talking with the many volunteers and members of the Community who clearly enjoy their time at space2grow; as did we.
Visit Space2grow’s Website HERE.
Proud Winners of A Kings Award for Voluntary Service – The Big Leaf Foundation.
I was thrilled to hear that The Big Leaf Foundation had secured the prestigious Kings Award. I have been acquainted with the charity and its wonderful founders Katye Cable and Vicki Felgate since the early days of the charity eight years ago. Their selfless commitment to helping displaced people with their incredible staff and volunteers is awe-inspiring. I have attended a number of their events, heard many harrowing stories and met many young people who have endured terrible hardships; but now have smiles on their faces and happier futures to look forward to thanks to The Big Leaf Foundation.
My earliest involvement was to buy them a football kit so they could form a team and play against local teams. Although they came from many different places and spoke many different languages, when they put their football kit on they became one, united and teammates, high fiving each other. Such a small thing but with such a huge impact. It was a very enjoyable evening and the award is so richly deserved.
Find out more about The Big Leaf Foundation HERE.
Surrey Care Trust – Swingbridge Boats, Welcome the ‘Maggie G’.
The Shrievalty has long been proud supporters of the Surrey Care Trust and the Swingbridge Boats and Suzanne and I were delighted to welcome the third boat to their fleet. Called the ‘Maggie G’, it joined ‘Swingbridge Tranquillity’ and ‘Swingbridge Endeavour’ as welcoming spaces on the water for people of all ages and walks of life, from young people building confidence and resilience, to volunteers working together on environmental and conservation projects along our beautiful waterways. It was a lovely afternoon on the Wey at Send with the Trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters all welcoming the ‘Maggie G’ being launched.
As is tradition, beer was poured over her bows, adeptly undertaken by Zoe Franklin, the local MP. Many congratulations to John Downing (CEO) and everyone associated with the Swingbridge Boat initiative.
Find out more about The Surrey Care Trust HERE.
A Visit to North Guildford Food Bank During National Volunteers Week.
This week is National Volunteers’ Week and I was therefore delighted to be invited, with my wife Suzanne, to see the great work North Guildford Food Bank undertakes to support the local community.
Now in their 13th year of operation, they are dealing well with the ever increasing demand for their services, thanks to the generous food and financial donations from the local community and the dedication of their team of over 100 volunteers who willingly give their time to help those in need in Guildford and surrounding villages.
2024 saw an increase in demand for food parcels of over 25% on the previous year and the high level of demand has continued into 2025. When speaking to Jessica (Food Bank Manager) and Geoff (Chair of Trustees) it is clear that clients, volunteers and the staff team feel incredibly grateful and blessed by the generosity of the Guildford community in supporting this ongoing vital support to so many households.
We greatly enjoyed talking with a number of the volunteers who were all extremely dedicated in preparing the food parcels. On average 45 parcels are prepared each week, but this can rise to closer to 200 around Christmas. There is always a need for both financial and food donations to sustain their activities, and details of how to help can be found here https://northguildfordfoodbank.co.uk/food-donations/
British Empire Medals Investiture at Loseley House.
It was an honour for Suzanne and I to join the Lord Lieutenant at the magnificent Loseley House last week, where he presented eight residents of Surrey with British Empire Awards (BEM’s), on behalf of HM The King which were announced in the 2025 New Years Honours List.
The award is in recognition of their exemplary contribution to their community and the difference their efforts make to other people’s lives. We very much enjoyed listening to the individual citations, dictated by Vice Lord Lieutenant, Mary Cresswell and after posing for official photographs we had the opportunity to talk to the recipients and their proud families themselves. Congratulations all and I join the Lord Lieutenant in thanking you for your contributions.
Memorial Day at The Brookwood American Cemetery
Suzanne and I were invited to attend the Memorial Day at the American Cemetery at Brookwood. The Lord Lieutenant gave one of the tribute readings as did the newly appointed US Ambassador to the UK, Warren A Stephens. Current Military personal, veterans and relatives of those who gave their lives were in attendance and wreathes were laid by representatives of the many countries and organisations participating in the commemoration event.
My two police cadets, Grace and Imogen, were in attendance with other representatives from the Police.
You can learn more about the American Cemetery HERE
Challengers – ‘Angels’ Helping Children with Complex Needs in Education.
Suzanne and I joined the Lord Lieutenant at the official launch of their expanded 555 service aimed at helping the many children with complex needs that are falling through the gaps in the education system due to a lack of specialist school places or exclusions linked to their disability.
We heard brave personal stories from two mothers of the strain it puts on families which cannot get the support they need to enable their children to attend school. Challengers were described by them as “Angels” for the support they gave by welcoming their children and providing some respite for their families.
Sadly there are around 250 young people with additional needs in Surrey that are out of education currently as there are no suitable places for them.
Gen Dearman, her wonderful team and the board of trustees are indeed all angels and need more people to support them in providing a life-changing service that is so desperately needed.
