Local community volunteers celebrated at annual High Sheriff awards

Will Hobhouse, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, has publicly recognised and rewarded eight local voluntary organisations for their outstanding contribution to the community at the 2018 High Sheriff Awards ceremony.

The annual awards, which were held March 8th at Micklefield Hall, celebrated the achievements of local community groups. Winners within the categories of social justice and volunteering were awarded cash prizes of up to £2,000.

The evening also saw two awards given to voluntary organisations recognised as having made the most progress on HCF’s Training & Development Building Effectiveness Programme; a bespoke nine month training and development programme which focuses on giving voluntary and community organisations the skills and capacity to be more effective, resilient and strategic.

The winner of the 2017 Building Effectiveness Programme was Home-Start Watford and Three Rivers. The runner up prize was awarded to Watford FC’s Community Sports and the Education Trust.

The Princes Trust Award was given to Levi Sprigg. Levi is a former participant of the trust’s ‘Achieve’ programme, a personal development course aimed at supporting 11 – 19 year olds reach their full potential.

Helen Gray, Foundation Director for HCF, said: “It was wonderful that so many volunteers were recognised for their incredible contributions to the county. The foundation is also delighted at how well the Building Effectiveness programme has gone in its first year. All ten participating groups and organisations are already seeing positive results.”

Will Hobhouse, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, said: “It was a thrill and an honour to host the 23rd annual High Sheriff Awards. The focus of the Awards was to celebrate volunteering and during my year in office I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many brilliant organisations and inspiring individuals from around the county, who give so much of their time for a variety of wonderful causes.”

A full list of winners for each of the categories can be found on the High Sherriff’s website (www.highsheriffofhertfordshire.org.uk).