Matrix: a good name for a charity and especially one that is doing good work on the Borough of Guildford. I met their CEO today and was given a glimpse of what they do always aiming “to be in the community”. They are Guildford based and work solely in the Borough which gives them a great focus providing pastoral support in schools running youth clubs and much else. A youth club member : “I love playing football all night long”! www.matrixtrust.com
Surrey Care Trust is making a difference to the lives of the socially excluded in Surrey.
I visited today their STEPS to 16 centre in Woking which is giving young people a second chance in education. Dedicated staff and volunteers really committed to helping these young people who are vulnerable and disengaged. Surrey Care Trust has a range of other interventions with counselling, mentoring and a Children’s Centre, which I look forward to visiting in the months ahead. Over a year they are touching for the better the lives of over 3,000 individuals assisting them in being their own
individuals.
Impressive and inspiring. www.surreycaretrust.co.uk
Great fun for all at the Cranleigh Show yesterday. A proper agricultural event with lots of animals, tractors and horse events. Grandchildren loved climbing into the cab of an enormous combine harvester. The organisers deserved the sunshine. Well done to them.
Yesterday was the end of thirteen years of Perdita Hunt running the Watts Gallery. But she didn’t just run the Gallery. She saved the Gallery. When she arrived as Director, a brilliant appointment by the Chairman Richard Ormond, the Gallery was in a poor physical state, random visitors and no profile. Now, thirteen years later, the Gallery has been completely refurbished, without losing its magic, Watt’s house across the road has been acquired as has a long lease on the Watt’s Chapel. It is not just a Gallery but “Watts Gallery Artists Village”.Its reputation is now National and indeed further afield. Well done Perdita. Do visit the Watts Gallery. www.wattsgallery.org.uk
Another day another Prison. At HMP Downview invited by the Hardman Trust to present awards to prisoners from around England. The awards are given to prisoners close to the end of serving long sentences to pay for equipment/training etc to prepare for life outside prison. It was an honour to meet the 20 or so recipients and hear how grateful they are for this help and for the boost to their self esteem and confidence that the awards mean. Hardman also produce a Directory e
very year full of really practical information for prisoners about to leave prison. Well done the Hardman Trust! www.hardmantrust.org.uk
I was at Coldingley Prison to learn about the work of the charity PACT. They work in 58 prisons to improve the access families have to prisoners by providing support both in the homes and in the prisons. We heard testimonials from three Colindgley prisoners for whom PACT has changed their lives by improving their relationship with their partners and importantly with their children. PACT seems particularly adept at the latter. A national statistic: prisoners that have constructive relationships with their families are 39% less likely to re-offend. A great quote from a prisoner: “I am learning to be a Dad even in a prison.” Well done PACT www.prisonadvice.org.uk
My third Prison visit in 8 days. At Coldingley, which is a men’s prison, the Governor is Jo Sims and they have amazing facilities for education and employment for the prisoners, the latter including a large engineering workshop with a lot of equipment and a large printing facility with both producing products for external commercial customers. Over 95% of the prisoners are gainfully employed. Very impressive as is the statistic that in a recent Inspection 76% of the prisoners said “they had hope”. Coldingley truly is a REFORM prison.
The charity 40 Degreez in Farnham has a great building right in the centre of the town where they run youth clubs for different age groups and rent space to other organisations with similar objectives. I heard about their plans for next year when they will be launching a Health Club. With statutory funding in short supply 40 Degreez are providing a key service for the youth of Farnham
Attended the Civic Service in St John’s Church Woking for the new Mayor of Woking, Graham Cundy. A service with a powerful sermon, contributions from other Faith groups and two delightful musical interludes. And a great tea party afterwards. Thank you Mr Mayor.
Had a bit of fun
at the rally and show of military vehicles at Loseley when I was encouraged to sit inside an armoured patrol vehicle then couldnt get out as the door handle broke! Had to scramble over gear levers and large brake handles to escape! Also met the good people of the Surrey Infantry Museum still reeling from the fire at Clandon Park where they were based. They were very helpful clarifying the history of the Surrey regiments for whom I will be laying wreaths at the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres at the end of July.