News
High Sheriff of Kent Awards 2025
The High Sheriff of Kent, Dr Gill Fargher, recently hosted a ceremony with grant-makers Kent Community Foundation at Rochester Cathedral to announce the winners of the 2025 High Sheriff Awards.
The High Sheriff of Kent's Award Fund is managed by Kent Community Foundation and was set up to recognise public servants, voluntary groups and individual volunteers whose selfless acts have benefited communities across the county.
Guests, including The Lady Colgrain Lord-Lieutenant of Kent and The Very Rev'd Dr Philip Hesketh AKC DL, gathered in the cathedral crypt from 6.30pm on April 4, for a hot drinks and cakes reception and the opportunity to hear from The High Sheriff about the wonderful work being carried out by the charitable sector across Kent and Medway.
Addressing the assembled guests, the High Sheriff spoke about the challenges facing the county and the vital work the charitable sector is doing to support diverse communities, before announcing the five recipients of the High Sheriff Awards.
The 2025 winners are:
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services
- Kent Association for the Blind
- Medway African and Caribbean Association
- Wellbeing in the Weald
- Sheppey Matters
Each was presented with a certificate and awarded a grant for £500. The High Sheriff also presented an award to individuals, Michelle Bramble, Lee-Ann Williams and Ray Johnson.
Dr Gill Fargher said: "I have had the privilege of visiting many organisations to learn first-hand the invaluable work they do to support communities across the county. It was very difficult to choose the five recipients of the High Sheriff Awards, as the county is immensely fortunate to have so many incredible organisations supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged in Kent and Medway.
"It is a huge pleasure to be able to honour these unsung heroes and thank them for the services they provide."
The High Sheriff said of her winners:
"Kent Association for the Blind delivers invaluable expertise and support to those impacted by visual impairment across Kent, in addition to work in the prevention of avoidable sight loss and the promotion of independence. I have been honoured to see this work during my High Sheriff year.
"Wellbeing in the Weald was formed by local GP Dr Dineli Charlesworth in 2019. She recognised the need for fun, social, community projects to combat the social isolation, loneliness and other challenges that she was seeing as a GP. The charity celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2024 and goes from strength to strength.
"The Medway African and Caribbean Association (MACA) was established 40 years ago and promotes the awareness of African and Caribbean culture whilst working alongside local communities and private and public organisations. I, too, have been privileged to work alongside MACA as well as join their 40th-anniversary celebrations.
"Sheppey Matters is a community-based charity that engages with and involves local people in an approachable and non-judgemental way, delivering responsive support whilst empowering individuals. Sheppey Matters has celebrated 30 years of delivering remarkable community care.
"Dementia touches many of our lives, including mine, both personally and professionally. The mission of Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services is to deliver long-term support and expertise to those impacted by dementia. This vital empowering care, throughout the entirety of the illness, is rare and vitally important."
Michelle Bramble and HMP Swaleside's Lee-Ann Williams also received special recognition from the High Sheriff.
Kent Community Foundation has managed the High Sheriff's Award Fund since 2015 and has invaluable experience in introducing High Sheriffs to voluntary groups in Kent and Medway.