The High Sheriff’s Award Scheme

High Sheriffs are appointed each year in the counties of England and Wales. The Office of High Sheriff is at least 1,000 years old, having its roots in Saxon times, before the Norman conquest.

High Sheriffs are responsible for duties conferred by the Crown, including attendance at Royal visits to the county and the protection of Her Majesty’s High Court Judges when on Circuit in the county.

In addition to their official duties, High Sheriffs take on a personal responsibility for fundraising throughout their year in office. The money raised is used to support local good causes through the High Sheriff’s Award Scheme.

The High Sheriff’s Award Scheme was set up in Cambridgeshire over 10 years and awards grants towards projects that fit one of the following three categories:

Voluntary Commitment Grants: Grants of up to £500 for projects that involve young people in voluntary commitment (defined as giving their time for the benefit of others and not as attending a club or activity for their own benefit) and are working to achieve one or more of the following:

• A lasting effect on the community by making it a safer and more pleasant place in which to live;
• Enhance the quality of life of others in the community through provision of an activity or entertainment;
• Significant improvement of the local environment;
• Promotion of crime reduction activities.

Examples of previously funded projects include young people from a village youth club taking part in a litter pick; a group of girl guides running a holiday club for children from a deprived area; a youth group helping the community by improving the village hall garden and making it accessible to people with disabilities; a group of young people renovating broken bicycles to be redistributed to those who need them; young people working to tackle anti-social behaviour in their village.

Music Grants: Grants of up to £500 to projects involving young people in music projects. Projects should be offering young people one or more of the following:

• New opportunities to learn to play musical instruments, or learn to sing;
• Opportunities to develop musical talent;
• An opportunity to perform to an audience.

Activity Grants: Grants of up to £200 to projects that involve young people in positive activities, for example:

• Dance groups;
• Drama groups;
• Activity days.

Groups receiving a 2009/10 award have been invited to nominate two young people to attend a one day activity day that aims to develop team skills, build confidence and new skills in the young people that participate.  A few young people will then be sponsored by the High Sheriff's Award Scheme to attend on week residential 'Outward Bound' Courses.

To apply for a 10/11High Sheriff's Award please complete the following online application form:

10/11 High Sheriff's Award Scheme online application

The closing date for applications to the 2010/2011 High Sheriff's Award Scheme is 31 July 2010.