Dorset’s current High Sheriff, Anthony Woodhouse, presented 13 charities, organisations, and an individual with a coveted High Sheriff Award at a ceremony held at The Duchess of Cornwall in Poundbury on Thursday 6th March 2025.
The evening celebrated some of the most deserving people and organisations Anthony has met during his year as High Sheriff of Dorset.
Anthony Woodhouse said: “As my year as High Sheriff draws to a close, it’s important to me to recognise those who spend their time giving so much to others.
“In my shrieval year, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to meet so many wonderful organisations with amazing people doing amazing things often in challenging circumstances and without public recognition. It has also been humbling and has delivered a dawning realisation that our society would simply cease to function without voluntary and charitable organisations.
“It is an honour to be able to thank these compassionate, dedicated people with a High Sheriff Award.”
The recipients of a High Sheriff Award were:
100 & First Foundation (Sam Cload) – a passionate prison reformer and a leading voice on the use of sport in the criminal justice system as a means of enabling resettlement for people leaving prison. Sam runs an impactful rugby club and Dragons’ Den style business programme from Portland Prison, providing prisoners with a better chance of successfully transitioning back into society.
Escapeline (Lisa) – a unique and specialist charity supporting and preventing young people from being exploited by criminal gangs, known as ‘county lines’. Escapeline provides training and education to professionals, young people, and parents in the community. Lisa set up the charity in 2019 after identifying that so many children, some as young as six, were being exploited by county line gangs.
Wayne Knapton – awarded a Bravery Award on the recommendation of the court for intercepting an incident whereby the victim had been seriously assaulted by someone with a machete. Wayne was recognised in court and by the High Sheriff for being able to assist so thoroughly in the investigation, including giving a detailed and comprehensive witness statement.
Mosaic (Jo Revill) – a charity founded in 2007 to fill the gap in bereavement provision for young people across the county. Mosaic supports children and young people who have been bereaved of someone special, such as a parent, sibling, friend or a member of their extended family, and provides them with the support, guidance, and comfort needed to help them smile again.
Prout Bridge Project (Paula Tuff) – a youth club that provides access to increasingly required positive activities and educational opportunities for young people living in the Beaminster area. Paula has built the project over many years to be sustainable for the long term, despite ongoing funding challenges.
St John Ambulance (Trevor Vaughan and Cadet Jack Frizzle) – a volunteer-powered first aid charity that provides emergency response, first aid training, and community education. As the nation’s leading first aid organisation, St John works alongside the NHS, responding to medical emergencies, supporting public events, and delivering vital first aid education. The charity also engages in youth programmes, workplace training, and initiatives to improve community health. Through its dedicated community of volunteers and staff, St John Ambulance plays a crucial role in saving lives across the UK.
Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) Home Library Service (Maria Jacobson) – an exceptional charity that brings the library service to anyone who cannot reach their local facility. Not only does the RVS Home Library Service enable people to continue to access the joy of reading for longer, but also provides an important antidote to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Respected (Dr Louise Parkin) – an organisation that works to ensure every young person has the required support and knowledge to make healthy and informed decisions when it comes to sex and relationships. Dr Louise Parkin founded Respected in response to her experiences in general practice where she saw patients suffering from the long-term consequences of past decisions and events.
Catalyst Club at Bournemouth University (Layne Hamerston) – facilitates meetings with local charities and is a community support network for organisations. The Catalyst Club provides a collaborative space in which attendees are invited to share their expertise and resources, to make a bigger difference together.
Volunteer Centre Dorset (Marie Waterman) – an organisation that promotes and enables volunteering to take place in Dorset. Marie and her team support charitable organisations to advertise their roles and match them up with volunteers. Marie has worked for the charity for almost two and a half decades.
Nourish Blandford (Sophie Burditt and Gail Del-Pinto) – one of the 23 food banks in Dorset. Nourish provides support to those living in Blandford and within the postcode area of DT11. As well as providing access to the community larder, Nourish is the first port of call for those suffering from other challenges including debt, addiction, and loneliness.
Future Roots Sherborne (Chantal Sykes) – a not-for-profit social enterprise offering the opportunity for people to utilise a rural environment to enhance their wellbeing and to reach their potential. With more than 10 programmes, Future Roots works with a range of individuals including young people who require a different form of education. On the farm, which is owned by Julie Plumley, the same team also run Countrymen – a sister charity that helps to meet the challenges faced by men who find themselves isolated due to deteriorating physical or mental health.
The AIMCommunity (Richard Newland) – provides a variety of opportunities for young people to access support and creative learning. The charity equips, enables, and empowers young people to flourish, succeed, and reach their potential. Its FLAiM programme offers person-centred services that promote independence and fill a gap in the support system for young people entering adulthood.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Mr Michael Dooley LVO MMs FRCOG, attended the awards ceremony and said: “I was honoured to attend the award ceremony, where I had the pleasure of meeting remarkable individuals and organisations dedicated to serving the people of Dorset. Their commitment and hard work are truly inspiring. As William Shakespeare so perfectly expressed in Twelfth Night; I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.
“My deepest thanks for every award winner for what you do and continue to do.”
The High Sheriff is the King’s representative in the county in respect of law and order and plays an increasingly active role in promoting the voluntary sector within their communities and highlights the work of often unsung heroes.
Callum Bremner will take office as the next High Sheriff of Dorset on Sunday March 23rd.
Anthony Woodhouse with winners of Dorset High Sheriff Awards 2025