The High Sheriff’s Awards championing support for children in North Yorkshire

Dr. Ruth Smith, the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, dedicated her year in office to making a lasting difference for children and young people, particularly those affected by domestic abuse. She led workshops, hosted conferences, and visited community organisations, all while demonstrating her commitment to raising awareness and supporting those who tirelessly help children thrive despite the challenges they face.

Dr. Smith engaged directly with local community organisations, ensuring their work was not only recognized but also strengthened. She partnered with Two Ridings, visiting numerous community-based groups and learning first-hand about their support for vulnerable children. She celebrated their invaluable work during the High Sheriff’s Awards evening.

Honouring Community Organisations Making a Difference

The High Sheriff’s Awards evening at Allerton Castle was a powerful celebration of the incredible work happening across North Yorkshire. Each organisation received recognition for its unique contributions to supporting children in the region. The winners of the High Sheriff Award were:

• Autism Angels in Nidderdale: Awarded for their resilience-based work with children and young people, helping them overcome challenges through equine therapy.
• WHISH (Whitby Hidden Impairment Support & Help): Honoured for their strategic direction and commitment to meeting the future needs of the children they support.
• Just B in Harrogate: Celebrated for their trauma-informed leadership, assisting children in processing their experiences and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
• The Wave Project in Scarborough: Recognised for their innovative approach to working with children through surfing, combining creativity and therapy.
• The Island in York: Commended for their reflective practices, which enhanced their mentoring services for young people.
• Gallows Close Centre in Scarborough: Acknowledged for placing children’s voices at the heart of their services, ensuring young people’s needs are met in their local community.
• New Beginnings Peer Support in Harrogate: Celebrated for empowering children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse across Harrogate and beyond.

A particularly moving moment came when Diana Parkes CBE from the Joanna Simpson Foundation shared her poignant and powerful story of the murder of her daughter Joanna Simpson through domestic violence. Her words highlighted the urgent need for better support systems for children impacted by domestic abuse.

A Year Focused on Children’s Wellbeing

Throughout her year, Dr. Ruth Smith participated in over 250 events, engaging with local courts, emergency services, and even meeting Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla. However, her focus on the long-term effects of domestic abuse on children truly defined her year. With one in four women experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, the profound and far-reaching impact on children—whether direct or indirect—is undeniable. Dr. Smith relentlessly worked to highlight these issues and improve support services for both children and their families.

Another key moment for Ruth was her leadership in raising awareness about trauma’s impact on children. In a ground-breaking conference, Dr. Smith gathered 75 attendees, primarily from local schools, to discuss practical strategies for supporting young people affected by trauma. The conference became a vital platform to equip teachers, social workers, and community leaders with the tools they need to better serve children and young people in North Yorkshire.

Reflecting on a Year of Service

As her year came to a close, Dr. Ruth Smith reflected on the incredible experiences and challenges she encountered. “This has been an incredibly rewarding year, full of both challenges and triumphs,” she shared. “The passion and commitment I’ve witnessed from the organizations here tonight, along with the resilience of the children they support, have been a true source of inspiration.”

Celia McKeon, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation shared her observations on the commonalities of what is moving and powerful about the work the community organisations do “The baseline for the work is love and care, and it is all about building relationships of trust and mutual support.” She went on to say “The outcomes achieved by the groups are powerful. They create belonging, inclusion, connection, confidence, purpose and empowerment. These groups pick up the pieces when our systems and institutions fail. They build the foundations needed for resilient, hopeful communities. They deserve our support and investment.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the essential role these Award winners play in creating resilient, safe communities where children and young people can thrive. “This evening, and the High Sheriff’s year, truly shows the power of our communities and the impact they have on local lives,” said Skaith. “Like Dr. Ruth Smith, I believe everyone here in York and North Yorkshire has the right to feel safe, and I will continue to ensure that people in our region receive the support they need from local community organisations, which drive change and improve lives.”

Gratitude to Supporters

The event was generously supported by Lewis Silkin, Harrogate Family Law, Acorn Retreat, PM Management Consultants, the Joanna Simpson Foundation, Drax, and Harrogate and District Soroptimists and our hosts Allerton Castle. Their support showcased the importance of collaboration and investment in the region’s community organisations.

As her year as High Sheriff draws to a close, Dr. Ruth Smith concluded with a quote from a song that has shaped her vision for the year: “I believe that children are the future, treat them well and let them lead the way.” She feels this sums up the purpose of her work as High Sheriff and the collective goal of building a better, more supportive future for the children of North Yorkshire.