Sarah Beazley, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire publicly recognised and rewarded 14 Hertfordshire voluntary organisations at the 2020 High Sheriff Awards ceremony held on 12 March 2020.
The annual Awards, now in their 25th year, celebrate the excellent work undertaken by charitable groups and individuals who have made a significant contribution to Hertfordshire’s communities.
This year the Awards focused on highlighting organisations who are working to build stronger communities, promote integration, or work across faith groups, as well as those addressing social justice and crime prevention.
Sarah Beazley said “During my year as High Sheriff I have come across many wonderful charities and voluntary groups who do so much to make their communities stronger. It is important to share their successes so that they can motivate and inspire, and for groups to join together to tackle challenges. Interfaith and integration initiatives play a valuable role in a whole community approach to ensuring social justice and fighting crime and disadvantage.
“Members of the judging panel were inspired by each of the shortlisted organisations and so we have agreed that they are all very worthy to be called winners. Although it was an extremely difficult job, the panel also decided on one outstanding organisation in each category for special recognition.
“I am delighted to have been able to celebrate some of the very special people and organisations across Hertfordshire for the work they do in the county.”
The groups recognised were:
Faith group community projects category: - Camp Unity: A multi-cultural camp that is a collaboration of five religious groups in Hertsmere, bringing children of different backgrounds together and building local communal cohesion.
- Open Door St Albans: Who work with other charities in St Albans to assist people at risk from homelessness.
- One Vision: A faith-based networking and action group led by Stanborough Park Seventh-day-Adventist Church in Garston, Watford. They engage with local community groups, charities and public services on issues including equality, housing, health, welfare, faith and employment.
- South Hill Centre [Outstanding in category]: A community charity with close links to South Hill church that provides services which join local people together, encourage integration, develop potential, enhance safety and provide help and support to those most in need.
Integration category: - CHEXS: Who run aspiration-building programmes for disadvantaged and under-performing children around Waltham Cross and surrounding areas in Hertfordshire.
- Jackie’s Drop-in: A centre for adults with disabilities that is addressing isolation by providing a place where they can learn new skills and make new friends in a safe and happy environment.
- Recover [Outstanding in category]: A furniture up-cycling project supporting the recovery of vulnerable, disadvantaged adults affected by mental health issues linked to substance abuse, alcoholism or domestic abuse, who are excluded from society and furthest from employment.
Social justice category:
- Stand By Me: A community-led service for children and young people in North Herts and Stevenage who have experienced the death of a significant person. Their services include a helpline, website and therapeutic groupwork programme.
- Young Carers’ Crew: Who provide support and recreational activities for young carers aged 8-18 in North Hertfordshire, Stevenage and the surrounding areas.
- Resolve [Outstanding in category]: Who provide treatment and rehabilitation for people suffering from substance/alcohol misuse problems and support services for their families. They have also grown to provide services tackling homelessness.
Stronger communities’ category: - Gratitude: A charity that collects food and goods donated by supermarkets or saved from waste to share in the community to tackle food poverty and encourage a waste free community.
- Best Before Café who fight food waste and food poverty by collecting unsold and surplus food from local supermarkets and offer it back to the community on a pay as you feel basis from their café
- INS: Who address social isolation amongst the older community throughout Stevenage. Their services include house visits to vulnerable and housebound elders, social afternoons and Tea Dances and a Christmas Savings Club.
- Citizens Advice St Albans District: [Outstanding in category]: A charity providing free, independent advice on a wide range of issues, including welfare benefits, employment, debt, housing and relationships.
In recognition of their outstanding work each organisation received a financial contribution funded through the High Sheriff’s Fund, a charitable fund managed by Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
Helen Gray, Foundation Director for Hertfordshire Community Foundation said: “We are delighted to once again be involved in the High Sheriff Awards which give countywide recognition to the outstanding work of groups in Hertfordshire. This year’s awards have helped to highlight how local organisations are working together and tackling important social issues to make our communities stronger and a better place to live for everyone. Congratulations to each of the award winners and thank you to all those who put forward a nomination.”
In addition to the High Sheriff Awards, High Sheriff Personal Awards were also presented to the following people:
- Phil Abrey, Managing Chaplain, HMP The Mount, for his years of dedication to improving the lives of others. He was recognised for his tremendous drive to ensure the highest levels of pastoral care and equality of religious provision as well as his personal support for the staff, prisoners, volunteers and visitors to the prison.
- Emma Gardner, Team Leader, Watford County Court, for her inspirational work in promoting and fundraising for charities and for opening discussions over difficult topics like mental health awareness in her place of work. Given the gruelling and difficult situations court staff have to deal with, Emma’s efforts have helped the growth and spirit of the court team.
- Harjit Singh, Community Development Worker, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, for his community engagement work and for bringing community leaders together as well as for his involvement in local community projects and groups.
- Duncan Wallace, Hertfordshire Constabulary, (Retired December 2019), for his outstanding work as the East Herts Rural Neighbourhood Team Sergeant, where he excelled at delivering rural policing that works for the rural community. His legacy is his emphasis on community engagement, and mutual support and cooperation, which made his work so effective.