The High Sheriff of Somerset, Thomas Sheppard, paid a visit to the Somer Valley Education Trust to observe their ground-breaking educational work with young people.

The charity, which shares premises with local radio station, Somer Valley FM, next to Somervale school, delivers training programmes that build skills and confidence by encouraging creativity in music, audio and radio.

In September, the Trust was commissioned by the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, the local multi-academy trust, to work directly with students during school time.

The Trust, which is expanding its services across the region, recently appointed Somer Valley FM presenter, Gwen Jones, as a trainer. Gwen invited Mr Sheppard on to her show to find out more about what being the High Sherriff of Somerset means.

“It’s a very old role, it’s been around for 1,000 years. In 2021 its role is a very special and evolving role. Each year, the High Sheriff tries to choose something they would like to support. Part of my thinking for my year was around community cohesion.”

He added: “It means the communities that help themselves, encourage and help one another and look at how they can work with other organisations and people. Rather than seeing themselves as one, they see themselves as a group. I’ve been trying to highlight where those places are for the past three to four months. And they are in all sorts of places such as here at the Somer Valley Education Trust and the radio where it will be the centre of lots of good things that are happening.

“Wherever those places might be, those people are facilitating other people doing great things.”

The High Sheriff spent time with staff and trainees as well as volunteers at the radio station. He sat in on a training session, meeting lead trainer Maggie and Alice who is a Year 8 student at Norton Hill. Afterwards he commented:

“In our fast-paced world, the ability to communicate effectively is an essential tool for both work and play. When I visited Somer Valley Educational Trust I saw how it was using the discipline of radio presenting to develop the young students’ communication skills; whether in planning and conducting an interview or crafting a story. The excitement and terror of being on air clearly brought out the personality of those I met and helped developed confidence. This is a great and accessible project.”

Dom Chambers, Founder and CEO of Somer Valley Education Trust commented: “I am hugely grateful to The High Sheriff for visiting us and showing such interest in our work. Mr Sheppard was really interested in the link between giving young people the opportunity to explore their creativity in a happy and safe place with building their confidence and opening more opportunities for them as they progress.

“This was more than a dignitary showing interest for a few minutes. Mr Sheppard spent a few hours really engaging with our people and finding out all about them and their aspirations.”