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A Probation service user, serving a community sentence under the supervision of PBNI, has just received the prestigious High Sheriff Award from the High Sheriff of Antrim after making significant and positive changes to his life.
The presentation was attended by the award recipient, High Sheriff of Antrim Rory Campbell, Chief Executive Amanda Stewart, Director of Operations Gillian Montgomery, staff from our Lisburn office and family. It was a celebration of how far the service user had come on his journey with recommendations from those who supervised him
His Probation Service Officer said “Change is rarely straightforward. It takes courage, honesty, and often a willingness to confront difficult issues and circumstances in people’s lives.”
Receiving the High Sheriff Award recognises his hard work to tackle addiction and mental health issues, that he is now living independently, has re-engaged with his family and is also in employment. As well as making these changes in his own life, he is also helping others in his community through involvement with the Resurgam Trust and its Community Fridge.
Amanda Stewart, Chief Executive said; “The story is a reminder that people can and do turn their lives around when given support, encouragement, and the chance to be recognised for the positive steps they are taking. It also speaks to the importance of support, especially from families, and of partnership between Probation, the community voluntary sector and organisations like the High Sheriffs’ Association working together to create conditions where change is possible.”
Moments of acknowledgement help reinforce a person’s belief in themselves and research has shown that when someone’s progress is seen and valued by others, it strengthens their motivation and helps sustain the positive changes they are making.
The High Sheriffs’ Association of Northern Ireland, established in 2023, was formed to promote and support High Sheriffs in Northern Ireland and to develop their unique role for the benefit of the community. The Association seeks to promote and sustain the role of the High Sheriff in relation to its traditional areas of responsibility which include lending support to the judiciary and to those concerned with law enforcement and crime reduction.
To this end the High Sheriffs’ Association of Northern Ireland and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland established a High Sheriff Award to be presented to service users who have made significant progress in their lives. Only five can be awarded annually, so receiving an award is real recognition of the work and effort a service user has put in to change their lives around.
Find out more about the High Sheriff Association of Northern Ireland on their website