By the time you read this – we will all have enjoyed, (or possibly endured ) Christmas and New Year.
I know we all want to be jolly and say it was fantastic, and in many ways it is – but I’m also a realist.
This time of year means much more to many families…
For those families who use some agency help with their Special Ed Needs children/adults, it often means something quite different. For many it’s a wonderful holiday time – but it can also be a time of lost routine, disruption within the family, managing mental health issues within a family unit, huge expectations, extraordinary numbers of visitors to the home, a different array of foodstuffs to usual and often simply long journeys and being somewhere different. It’s not exciting for everyone, and I’m sure we all appreciate that. I certainly think about it.
Christmas media also often brings those who live in solitude into focus, sharply reminding them of their own loneliness and possible difficulties. But – these people love a kind word or deed ANY time of the year. Thank goodness we have caring communities in our county to reach out to these people.
Financially Christmas can also bring more pressures to bear on families. This year in particular we see more and more working people needing help to feed their families from the Food Banks.
For any sceptic of Food Banks, I can verify the precision with which – certainly Hereford and Leominster, as I have yet to visit Bromyard, Ross and Kington. – our Food Banks are run. Very carefully and properly.
Calculated quantities of a weeks’ worth of groceries (and toiletries) are donated when an agency or similar has deemed it necessary for that person or family.
Of course, we all like to give generously at anytime of the year, but it is heartening to know that our donations/ funds are correctly managed.
Thank you very much to all those involved – with Food Sharing, Banks and any donors and community groups helping hungry families to eat. Grand work.
Before I finish my High Sheriff’s role in April, I’d like to shine a light onto the Crimestoppers project.
It is my aim – and I have a willing and ‘far-more-knowledgable-than-I’ colleague in John Taylor – who is an active member of the Hereford City Rotary Club ( a fun group who do lots of great things) to regenerate and spread the word about Crimestoppers.
- If you are witness to any criminal activity or have any information about any crime, Crimestoppers numbers 0800 555 111 will hopefully be posted in more places around the county very soon. As a reminder for you.
- See it and speak up. Anonymously. You will be given a code and as an added bonus often there are rewards £££ given for crimes brought to justice with the information you give.
Lastly, this month, I want to say a big thank you to Vennture. Rob Thomas and his highly efficient team DO venture into all sorts of areas of need in the county and city. They extend a warm helping hand, particularly to families finding themselves in a period of chaos or homelessness. Vennture’s help with the night-time economy behaviour with their volunteer Street Pastors, are a great support to our Local Authority, Health and Police agencies and a comfort to victims.
So, now with 2025 underway … let us all pray for peace – starting in our homes, with our neighbours and then also with the wider community.
