High Sheriff Encourages Applications – 2025
13th October 2025
Charities and voluntary groups across Essex that are helping to protect people from harm, support victims of crime, or make their communities safer can now apply for grants from the High Sheriffs’ Fund, managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
The High Sheriffs’ Fund provides vital support to a wide range of local initiatives and groups working to improve community safety. This includes efforts focused on crime prevention, rehabilitation, and many other related issues. Grants of up to £5,000 have previously supported projects such as services for victims of modern slavery, counselling for women and children affected by domestic abuse, diversionary activities for young people, and work placement schemes for ex-offenders.
The current High Sheriff of Essex, Julie Fosh, has seen first-hand the dedication of volunteers and community organisations working to make Essex a safer place for everyone.
“The role of the High Sheriff is, in part, about recognising the important work of the charitable sector in making our communities safer places” said Julie. “I have been inspired by my visits across the county and the commitment of volunteers. The grants from the High Sheriffs’ Fund are just one way of showing thanks and appreciation, so I very much encourage groups to apply.”
The High Sheriffs’ Fund is one of many charitable funds managed by ECF that support local people and communities. Through its partnerships with successive High Sheriffs, ECF ensures that funding is directed where it can have the greatest impact.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Policy and Programmes at ECF, said:
“We are pleased to work with successive High Sheriffs to ensure that the money from the Fund tackles important issues at a local level. We also have other charitable funds that can support community safety initiatives, so please contact our grants team for advice on making an application.”
To Apply
The deadline for applications is 1st of December 2025, and the panel will meet to review submissions in February 2025.
The Fund is open to any project or group across Essex with focuses linked to community safety.
To apply, Click here and select High Sheriff’s Fund from the dropdown menu.
You can also call the Grants Team on 01245 355947 for more information. We always recommend getting in touch first to ensure you have the right guidance before submitting your application
Prestigious awards ceremony recognises local charities
9th March 2023
Over 20 local charities and voluntary organisations that address crime, community safety and anti-social behaviour received recognition and grants at the High Sheriffs’ Awards.
Among the projects receiving funding is support for families who have experienced domestic abuse, safety sessions for young carers and setting up a youth forum for the LGBTQ+ community.
Around 180 guests attended this year’s ceremony held at Hylands House in Chelmsford with support from Essex County Council, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Chelmsford City Council. BBC Essex presenters, Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt, announced the award winners and conversations were broadcast live throughout the evening show.
Trophies, certificates and 23 grants totalling £38,000 were presented by the outgoing High Sheriff of Essex, Nicholas Alston CBE DL.
The grants came from the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which was established to give credit to local initiatives that address crime, community safety and anti-social behaviour, and is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Nicholas Alston CBE DL, the 842nd of High Sheriff of Essex, has visited voluntary organisations around the county during his year of office, learning about their work and presenting certificates of recognition to dedicated volunteers. He said, “The Awards ceremony is a wonderful occasion and gave me, and the other attendees, the chance to acknowledge more publicly, and to reward, some of the outstanding work being undertaken by groups of all sorts around the county, that help build and sustain safer communities.
“These organisations often work with those who are vulnerable or marginalised and, at a time of a growing cost-of-living crisis, sadly their needs are increasing. I had the privilege to visit many of these groups during my year, to learn about their work, and to thank them.”
The organisation presented with the coveted High Sheriffs Shield was St Vincent de Paul Society, in Southend, for their work supporting people who are homeless.
Other trophies presented on the night were:
- The High Sheriffs’ Cup, presented to Kool Carers for their safety sessions for young carers in Basildon and Brentwood.
- The Essex County Council Bowl which recognises voluntary organisations that work in partnership to deliver programmes, was awarded to South Essex Advocacy Services. They are raising awareness of financial abuse for those who have been a victim of this crime in Southend, working with the Police, the Council and other local organisations.
- The Essex County Fire & Rescue Shield, which recognises an organisation’s work with young people, was awarded to The Outhouse. They are establishing a youth forum for the young LGBTQ+ community across Colchester and Tendring to help address concerns, increase well-being and improve community understanding.
- The Essex Police Cup, given to Alpha Vesta to pilot a programme supporting families who have experienced domestic abuse.
Since the High Sheriffs’ Fund came under ECF’s management in 1997 it has distributed grants totalling over £700,000.
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said, “We work with successive High Sheriff’s to ensure this funding gets out to local charities and voluntary groups that are working in their hearts of their communities, so they can help tackle crime and safety issues”.
On top of the £38,000 being presented from the High Sheriff’s Fund, ECF will award an additional £114,000 to the charities from other funds under its management.
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.