The High Sheriff of Kent, Dr Gill Fargher announces the winners of the 2025 High Sheriff Awards.
The High Sheriff of Kent, Dr Gill Fargher, hosted a ceremony with grant makers Kent Community Foundation at Rochester Cathedral on 4 April 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 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 that 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 and Sheppey Matters who were each presented with a certificate and awarded a grant for £500.
Dr Gill Fargher “I have had the privilege of visiting many organisations to learn at 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 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, private and public organisations. I too, have been privileged to work alongside MACA as well as joining their 40 anniversary celebrations.”
“Sheppey Matters is a community based charity which 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 in 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.”
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.
To find out more about the work of grant makers Kent Community Foundation visit www.kentcf.org.uk
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services
Based in Northfleet, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services empower people affected by dementia to carry on their chosen lifestyle by equipping people with the knowledge and practical support to live with dementia.
Kent Association for the Blind
Working with over 12,000 people in Kent, the Kent Association for the Blind works to prevent avoidable sight loss, deliver excellent support services and enable people to get involved and live independently.
Medway African and Caribbean Association
The Medway African and Caribbean Association promote an awareness of African and Caribbean Culture through arts, educational and social programmes, to champion race, culture and diversity for all.
Wellbeing in the Weald
Wellbeing in the Weald offers support and activities to enhance and improve the lives of people living in Cranbrook and the surrounding villages.
Sheppey Matters
Sheppey Matters is a health and wellbeing charity based in Sheerness, which supports people living in the Isle of Sheppey with a series of projects addressing a series of issues including loneliness, transport for the disabled, ADHD and IT.
About Kent Community Foundation
Experienced grant-maker Kent Community Foundation is the organisation behind the organisations and has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary groups in the county for over twenty three years. In this time, it has distributed £60 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
Kent Community Foundation is part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.
Responsible for more than one hundred philanthropic funds, Kent Community Foundation is unrivalled in its knowledge of local causes and assists individuals, families, and businesses who want to help, to establish and administer their own charitable funds.
Kent Community Foundation funding priorities –
- Children, Young People & Families
Supporting disadvantaged children and young people’s physical and mental health, encouraging positive choices and staying safe. - Vulnerable Adults
Helping those who may need extra care dealing with challenging issues or those at risk of social exclusion or discrimination.
3. Elderly and Isolated
Enabling elderly adults to stay well, healthy, independent and free from social isolation.
4. Employability, Skills & Enterprise
Creating opportunities to develop skills and confidence and have a positive impact in areas and groups of people with high unemployment.
5. Environment
Encouraging community action to improve and protect local spaces with support sustainable ways of living.
