HSYAReview2024 - Flipbook - Page 3
Review of the year 2023-2024
I am delighted to affirm my support for the High
Sheriff Youth Awards (HSYA) and it has been a
pleasure to engage with them during my time as
High Sheriff. My thanks to all those involved,
including Trustees and the Council Members and
our expert volunteers who assess the award
applications. Special thanks to Richard Whittington
DL who Chairs the Trustees, ensuring good
governance and effective grant giving.
Further thanks and appreciation to our Golf-Day
Committee, ably led by Shahid Azeem. We raised
a brilliant sum – over £19,000. Finally, and most
importantly a sincere thanks to our funders –
Boroughs and districts, Surrey County Council and
the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
We appreciate your generosity and I hope you can
see how well the money is spent supporting the
young people of Surrey.
Alongside my HSYA engagement I have had an
action-packed year – a year of discovery, of many
small joys and a much humbleness meeting
marvellous people and organisations making a real
difference and asking for nothing back.
“Are you a Pirate?” – a question posed by a pupil at
Ewhurst Infant School. Closely followed by “Do you
live in a castle?” A visit to your local primary school is
a must for every High Sheriff – the children are agog
at the outfit and the history and who cannot laugh at
some of the questions posed. I also visited special
schools and secondary schools where I was privileged
to address school assemblies, meet superb and
dedicated staff and be quizzed by school councils.
The Surrey Judiciary were most welcoming and I saw
the Crown Courts, the Coroners Courts and the Family
Courts in action. I supported the Lord Lieutenant at
uplifting British Empire Medal presentation ceremonies
and visited all of Surrey’s prisons.
I met with numerous charities – and my theme of
mental health was a consistent topic with peoples’
resilience damaged by Covid and extreme pressure on
funding. Despite this my visits were all marvellously
positive. To pick out a few – York Road and Transform
providing supported housing, allowing people to
flourish and lead their best possible lives. The
Lighthouse in Woking and the Surrey Care Trust
mobilising hundreds of volunteers to help others.
Citizens Advice and St Catherines Hospice continuing
outstanding work at the very centre of our
communities. Artventure and the Grange bringing joy
to the lives of those with physical and mental
disabilities via art and other activities.
Continuing with my mental Health theme, I concluded
my specific work on police engagement with those
suffering a mental health crisis; working closely with
the Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, the third
sector and the NHS. The final report was launched
after Christmas. And I was delighted that – with
superb engagement from Chief Constable Tim de
Meyer – it catalysed positive and beneficial action
from all the parties involved in this sad, fraught and
difficult issue.
It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as
High Sheriff of the Great County of Surrey and thank
you again to those of you who have supported the
excellent work of the HSYA during my Shrieval year.
Mr Tim Wates DL
High Sheriff of Surrey 2023-2024
3
