The high Sheriff of Surrey is a position appointed by the Sovereign and is non-political and un-paid. Their duties whilst including attending royal visiting in the county and support in the courts, a major area they cover is supporting the voluntary work within the community.

This year the High Sheriff is his Honour Christopher Critchlow DL.

It was a lovely surprise then, when the High Sheriff advised, he would like to visit my home to get to know more about the work I was doing with Legally Powered.

On the 7^{th of} June the High Sheriff and his wife Wendy, visited my home, and for the first time in 5 days the sun shone beautifully allowing us the privilege to take our meeting into the garden.

During our meeting, the High Sheriff and I discussed Legally Powered and Accessibilising Britain. He asked lots of questions about how I started out with Legally Powered, what I wanted to get out of it and where I would like to take it as a role. It was great to hear both his and his wife’s suggestions of areas I could visit and left me feeling upbeat and positive, especially after receiving an invite to their annual garden Party.

The High Sheriffs Work.

During the High Sheriffs visit, I also got to learn more about him and his role. He advised he spent time at the judiciary and supporting the High Court Judges when on Circuit but how he was also a big advocate of charities within the county.

Every year the High Sheriff has a theme for their year of office and this year the theme is ‘Against Abuse, for Recovery’.

He advised that next week he is getting involved with Surrey Domestic Abuse Awareness Week. 13^th – 19^th June 2022. The High Sheriff is also supporting charities, that are supporting individuals and families affected by domestic abuse during the pandemic.

‘As a High Sheriff at a time of recovery from the adverse effects from Covid,

I intend to assist those working in the County to help people

badly affected by the pandemic, which disrupted lives

and brought serious difficulties for many, including children,

some of whom are suffering from mental health difficulties’.

High Sheriff of Surrey website

Domestic abuse can come in all forms and is not only physical. The new Domestic Bill Act 2021, which came into force in April last year, placed a large emphasis on the fact that domestic abuse is not just physical but can also be, emotional, controlling, coercive and economic abuse.

Coercive control can be difficult to spot by the person in the situation at time, it can start of with little things that the other person controls. Asking where you are going? Checking up on you, asking you to be back at a certain time? It then starts to build sometimes months, sometimes years. This means it can go un-noticed by friends and families.

Coercive Control is not ageist nor sexist, it can happen to anyone at any age.

It you need help, you think a friend needs help, or you yourself feel you are becoming too controlling help is out there. The Surrey against abuse website has lots of information on who to contact for help.

Written By: Victoria-Jayne Scholes