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Another Probation service user, serving a community sentence under the supervision of PBNI, has now received a High Sheriff Award after making significant and positive changes to his life.
The presentation was attended by the High Sheriff of County Londonderry Mr Peter Jack MBE to present the award, officers of the High Sheriffs' Association NI Mr Peter Mackie DL and Prof Mike Mawhinney MBE TD, Director of Operations Gillian Montgomery, staff from our Ballymena and Coleraine offices and family members.
On receiving his award, the service user said “I want to say how truly honoured and grateful I am to receive this award. Standing here is something I never would have imagined years ago, and I am deeply thankful for this recognition”
His Probation Officer said “It is always a privilege to walk alongside a service user, and gain their trust, when they are committed to making positive changes to their life. It is humbling when they are able to sustain these changes, despite the many complex issues in their lives. This service user used the support of PBNI and other partner agencies to affect real and lasting change for him and his family. He is a positive example to those who feel their issues are insurmountable.”
Director of Operations Gillian Montgomery said; “In PBNI, we recognise that people change, not because they are told to, but because they begin to see a different story and a different future for themselves. The acknowledgement of a High Sheriff’s Award is significant. It can strengthen motivation, boost confidence, and help people build a new identity based on hope rather than past mistakes, poor choices or previous labels. When someone shows determination, openness, and a willingness to move forward, their progress deserves to be recognised. The High Sheriff’s Award is a deserved recognition of a person’s potential to have a future full of purpose.”
The presentation of the High Sheriff Award recognises his hard work to tackle his addiction and mental health issues. He had been confronting a lot of trauma that deeply affected him throughout his life which influenced his poor decisions leading him into criminal behaviour.
He has made massive efforts to turn his life around, through supervision under Probation, and has been drug free for a number of years leaving his old risky habits behind him. He engaged with the Community Addiction Team and WAVE Trauma Centre before PBNI supervision commenced. During his Probation Order he developed his victim awareness while engaging with Extern for substance misuse intervention.
He has subsequently completed a part-time Diploma in Social Science through the University of Ulster and commenced a three-year BA Honours degree in Theology.
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. Together, 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. 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