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The High Sheriff Awards Winners 2010 |
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The High Sheriff recognises Suffolk’s voluntary sector Inspirational local charities, community groups and volunteers have been celebrated at the annual High Sheriff Awards ceremony last night (24 March), held in the Officer’s Mess at Wattisham Airfield and hosted by The High Sheriff of Suffolk, Mr James Buckle. Compered by BBC Radio Suffolk’s Lesley Dolphin and organised by The Suffolk Foundation that manages the High Sheriff’s Fund, the event was held to recognise and reward the work of the many voluntary groups and unsung heroes who do so much to make Suffolk a safer, healthier and more vibrant county to live in. Suffolk Crimebeat Award The winner of the Suffolk Crimebeat Award is JUMP, a youth mentoring project in Lowestoft run for and by young people and is open to anyone aged 13–18 years old who may benefit from the mentoring process; however, this project particularly aims to help vulnerable teenagers find a safe place to live, encourage them to learn the skills that will kick-start their career, and give them the motivation to move away from crime and anti-social behavior. JUMP will now be entered into the National Crimebeat Awards. JUMP’s volunteers give up their free time, choosing to support other young people by giving them guidance, encouragement, understanding and motivation. Many of the volunteer mentors are ex-offenders and some have previously been in prison. An average of about 50 young people a month benefit from the project. JUMP beat runners-up Bramford Primary School and Westley Middle School, both of whom have received grants form the High Sheriff’s Fund. Suffolk Volunteer of the Year
This year, the number of nominations for Suffolk Volunteer of the Year has been a record high. Sponsored by Ipswich Building Society, this highly coveted award has gone to a joint nomination of Richard Wardman and Suzanne Garnham who volunteer for The Suffolk Young People’s Health Project in Ipswich (also known as 4YP). The Suffolk Young People’s Health Project offers counselling for mental and emotional needs for up to 60 young people a week, providing a safe and reassuring environment. Richard and Suzanne have been an integral part of the service through their volunteering commitment to the project, and have been instrumental in producing a fully operational computer programme and database to keep track of the vital counselling service. Richard has been a volunteer counsellor since 2006. Centre Manager Cherry Finch said of Richard, “Without his loyal support and commitment, our waiting list would be even longer." Suzanne has worked as counselling administrator since 2007 and is responsible for making appointments and keeping the counselling diary and database up to date. Suzanne is always necessarily sensitive when contacting young people or their families and dedicates her time to the smooth running of the whole counselling appointment system. The award was presented by Antonia Murphy from Ipswich Building Society. Suffolk Community Partnership Award
Having been impressed by some excellent examples of partnership working during his year in office, the High Sheriff has created a new award to reward and celebrate the way two or more groups or organisations are working creatively together to make a real difference to their community. The winner of this award went to Aldeburgh Music and Lapwing, a partnership to provide a safe, trusted environment for isolated young people with multiple complex needs and huge social barriers, to discover new talents and skills, new confidence and new opportunities. It provides a rare chance for individuals to work within a group of people with similarly diverse needs in a supportive, safe and inspiring place. The Media Project runs every Wednesday throughout term time at Aldeburgh Music. It offers bespoke skill development packages for young people aged 16-22 using the vehicle of the arts, through the creative use of technology. Artistic, creative and technical skills are nurtured and developed, but a key target of this activity is the development of personal and social skills for individuals and as individuals within a larger group – something that for many of the young people has been a barrier for many years if not their entire life. Aldeburgh Music and Lapwing beat the two runners-up, Suffolk Constabulary & Brandon Full Gospel Church who have jointly tackled homelessness in Brandon, and the West Suffolk SOS Bus Project Partnership. Suffolk Group or Organisation of the Year
Sponsored by Suffolk New College, the Suffolk Organisation of the Year goes to Bury Town Pastors. Bury Town Pastors was set up to care for those involved in, or affected by drunkenness and anti social behaviour in the club and bar areas of Bury St Edmunds town centre on Friday and Saturday nights between 10.00pm and 4.00am. The Town Pastors is a service offered on selected nights by Christians drawn from local churches to care for people on the streets of Bury St Edmunds, specifically in the night time economy area of the town centre. In particular, Town Pastors seek to look out for vulnerable people, providing assistance where appropriate and defuse potentially aggressive situations. Town Pastors provide a friendly presence, in a non-judgemental and non-confrontational way. Town Pastors are able to be a 'friendly presence' alongside the door-staff, police, and emergency services as part of the team working to make Bury St Edmunds a safer place on a Friday and Saturday night. Bury Town Pastors beat the two runners-up, Iceni and Ipswich Town Community Trust and their award was presented by Professor Dave Muller of Suffolk New College. Speaking about the awards, the High Sheriff James Buckle said, “I have met so many extraordinary people during my year in office as High Sheriff, and I have been amazed by the passion and dedication that so many people have to make Suffolk a better place for the people living here. I hope tonight’s awards help to highlight some of the wonderful work that is underway in Suffolk’s voluntary sector and I congratulate all of the winners and runners-up for their achievements.” Grants The High Sheriff Fund provides grants of up to £1,000 to support work that young people (aged 8-25) undertake to improve their communities and lives. All projects that receive a grant from the High Sheriff Fund are automatically entered for the annual Suffolk Crimebeat Award. For further information or to apply for a High Sheriff Grant click here.
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