High Sheriff Recognises Local Charities at Prestigious Awards Ceremony
6th March 2026
Local charities and voluntary organisations that address crime and anti-social behaviour and improve community safety have received recognition and grants at the annual High Sheriff’s Awards.
Among the projects receiving support were youth groups, activities and specialist help for young people, projects that contribute to community cohesion for minority groups, support for older people who are facing abuse and exploitation, raising awareness of rural safety and a knife crime prevention initiative.
Around 200 guests attended this year’s ceremony held at Hylands House in Chelmsford, where trophies, certificates and 29 grants totalling £162,000 were presented by the High Sheriff of Essex, Julie Fosh DL.
The event was supported by Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. Presenters Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt supported the event by compering and interviewing the trophy winners and other guests, with conversations shared by Sadie Nine on her BBC Essex Saturday morning show.
The grants came from the High Sheriffs’ Fund, and other community safety focussed funds all of which are managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Julie Fosh DL, the 845th High Sheriff of Essex, has travelled across the County during the year, visiting charities that are tackling a wide range of issues and helping people in their community. She has learned about their work and met with many volunteers, presenting them with certificates to recognise and acknowledge their commitment and dedication.
“It is an honour and privilege to serve as the High Sheriff of Essex, and has been a hugely enjoyable year. I have travelled across the county and been very warmly welcomed by so many communities, organisations, charities and voluntary groups. Their work is inspiring and shows great resilience and dedication to those they support”.
“The Awards event provides a wonderful opportunity for me, and other attendees, to recognise publicly, the significant contribution that charities and voluntary groups make in our communities. It is a privilege to be able to reward their outstanding work, and that of the wider voluntary sector, being undertaken in Essex that is helping to build and sustain safer communities”, she said.
The coveted High Sheriff’s Shield was awarded to Kids Inspire:
Based in Chelmsford, recognising their dedication and amazing work supporting children, young people and families with mental health and trauma recovery. The High Sheriff’s panel were hugely impressed by the impact that this charity and project is having on the lives of so many young people, helping to keep them safe from harm and give them a brighter future.
High Sheriff Shield winners, Kids Inspire.
Other trophies presented on the night were:
- The High Sheriff’s Cup, presented to Leap Pathways for their work empowering girls in Rochford and Castle Point, helping them to keep safe and well. They also received £4,320 to reach more girls who urgently need a safe, trusted space.
- The Essex County Council Bowl, which recognises the contribution of organisations working in partnership to deliver programmes directly into the community, was awarded to Together Free Foundation for their work in Essex to bring an end to modern slavery and human trafficking. They also received £6,000 to help with their operational costs.
- The Essex County Fire & Rescue Shield, which recognises an organisation’s work with young people, was awarded to Colchester United Community Foundation for their work providing a much-needed lifeline and a safe space for young people at risk of exclusion or involvement in crime, offering guidance, mentoring, and engaging activities. They also received £5,000 to help run a free weekly youth club in Shrub End, Colchester.
- The Essex Police Cup, which recognises the work of voluntary organisations working in the community was awarded to ATF Southend, for their work with young people and specifically their Positive Futures Course in secondary schools for young people, mainly from South Essex, who are at risk of criminal and challenging behaviour.
High Sheriff 2026 Awards winners
Since the High Sheriffs’ Fund came under ECF’s management in 1997 it has distributed grants totalling over £800,000.
“We are proud to support successive High Sheriffs during their year of office, helping them to recognise the tireless work of local charities and encourage donations to the High Sheriffs Fund.”
Caroline Taylor, CEO at ECF.
This provides an annual source of vital funding for groups that are helping to prevent crime, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen communities across Essex, ensuring people of all ages are safe, supported, and able to thrive.”
The office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The High Sheriff receives no expenses, and the role comes at no cost to the public purse.